look at abilities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look at abilities" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the evaluation or consideration of someone's skills or talents. Example: "In this meeting, we will look at abilities that can enhance our team's performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We did not look at abilities or skills, and we did not directly observe behavior.

The New York Times

While medical school will provide a wide-reaching medical education, look at abilities that will benefit you in orthopedics.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

She explained that a careers advisor would not only look at ability but would also explore a student's interests and personality.

BBC

The fact that Nationwide, in common with many other lenders, looks at ability to pay rather than income multiples when assessing mortgage applications also works in your favour.

The Guardian - Money

That's how we look at their abilities and their range".

The New York Times - Sports

He said: "The primary aim is to apply this kind of research to patients with neurodamage or learning difficulties, but then we could look at enhancing abilities".

BBC

I have to look at his abilities and should not assume that shaking his head is just a gesture, it really means no.' Joe's sister: ' Joe always liked to go outside.

BMC Palliative Care

Look at the abilities of the individual flour mill.

WikiHow

You may need to read the race description when you create a new character, and look at racial abilities.

WikiHow

"I look at his ability and I think he could be the new Kenny Dalglish.

Independent

"I look at their ability to perform the part," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing job roles or team compositions, use "look at abilities" to emphasize a focus on what individuals can do, rather than just their qualifications or experience.

Common error

Avoid solely focusing on potential abilities without considering past achievements or demonstrated skills. A balanced approach provides a more realistic assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look at abilities" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun phrase, primarily used to denote the act of evaluating, considering, or assessing someone's skills or talents. This is supported by Ludwig examples where it appears in contexts discussing skills, competencies, and qualifications.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "look at abilities" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves the purpose of indicating the evaluation or consideration of someone's skills or talents. While not exceedingly common, it appears in various contexts, including news media, wikis, and scientific publications. Alternatives such as "assess capabilities" or "evaluate skill sets" can provide a more formal tone. It's important to use the phrase thoughtfully, balancing potential with demonstrated skills. As supported by Ludwig AI, understanding these nuances helps ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assess capabilities

Replaces "look at" with "assess" and "abilities" with "capabilities" to provide a more formal tone.

evaluate skill sets

Substitutes "look at" with "evaluate" and "abilities" with "skill sets" suggesting a structured appraisal.

examine talents

Uses "examine" instead of "look at" and "talents" in place of "abilities", indicating a detailed inspection.

consider competencies

Replaces "look at" with "consider" and "abilities" with "competencies" to convey a sense of thoughtful evaluation.

review aptitudes

Uses "review" instead of "look at" and "aptitudes" in place of "abilities", implying a formal or documented assessment.

analyze proficiency

Substitutes "look at" with "analyze" and "abilities" with "proficiency", suggesting an in-depth study of skill level.

scrutinize potential

Replaces "look at" with "scrutinize" and "abilities" with "potential", indicating a careful and critical observation of future capabilities.

gauge expertise

Uses "gauge" instead of "look at" and "expertise" in place of "abilities", implying a measure of specialized knowledge.

investigate strengths

Replaces "look at" with "investigate" and "abilities" with "strengths", suggesting a search for positive attributes.

explore capabilities

Uses "explore" instead of "look at" and maintains "capabilities", implying a broad and open-ended inquiry.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "look at abilities" in professional writing?

In professional contexts, consider alternatives like "assess capabilities", "evaluate skill sets", or "consider competencies" for a more formal tone.

What does it mean to "look at abilities" in a performance review?

In performance reviews, "look at abilities" refers to evaluating an individual's skills, talents, and competencies to determine their effectiveness and potential for growth within the role.

Is "look at abilities" the same as "look at potential"?

"Look at abilities" focuses on current skills and demonstrated competencies, while "look at potential" assesses future capabilities and growth opportunities. They are related but emphasize different aspects of an individual's capabilities.

Which phrase is more specific: "look at skills" or "look at abilities"?

"Look at skills" tends to be more specific, referring to particular learned proficiencies. "Look at abilities" is broader, encompassing both innate talents and acquired skills.