lose ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lose ability" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone or something has had their ability or capacity to do something taken away or diminished. For example, "Over time, the aging athlete began to lose the ability to compete at the same level as before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

You don't lose ability in catching the football, you don't lose the ability to have focus, you don't lose the ability to go out there and block people.

The New York Times - Sports

"You lose ability to smell it because your nose stops responding to it, and recovery can take three to four weeks".

The New York Times - Magazine

This is in accordance with data concerning the so called "point of no return"—the moment when the larvae irreversibly lose ability to feed and die even if provided with food.

BioMed Research International

OO As Cities Heat, Their Trees Partly Lose Ability To Remove Climate Changing Carbon From The Air shows new research.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A more specific reason for thinking regeneration is not a wholly lost ability comes from genes.

The New York Times - Health

Our lost ability to embrace the "we" will be our downfall.

The New York Times

"Mothers 'risk losing ability to give birth'" screamed the front of the Sunday Times last weekend.

The Guardian - Opinion

This behavior was expected, because the joint loses ability to transfer loading with the debonding area in the joint.

Applied Adhesion Science

The implications of this lost ability are huge.

Huffington Post

"We've lost ability to talk to people, recruit people, investigate people," Gomez says.

Vice

San Diego man who lost ability to speak and walk seeks to have voting rights restored.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lose ability", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific ability is being lost. For example, specify "lose the ability to focus" rather than simply "lose ability".

Common error

Avoid using "lose ability" when describing a temporary or reversible situation. Instead, use phrases like "temporarily unable" or "having difficulty" to indicate a non-permanent condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose ability" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It indicates the action of losing a particular skill, capacity, or competence. This is evident in the examples provided by Ludwig, where "lose ability" describes a decline or disappearance of a specific skill.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lose ability" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the diminishing or complete disappearance of a specific skill or capacity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread application. It's suitable across various registers, though clarity is key in specifying the particular ability being lost. While alternatives exist, "lose ability" effectively conveys the intended meaning in most contexts, appearing commonly in news, science, and general writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forfeit competence

Replaces 'lose' with 'forfeit' and 'ability' with 'competence', suggesting a complete loss of proficiency.

diminish skill

Uses 'diminish' to imply a gradual reduction in skill, rather than a complete loss of ability.

impair faculty

Replaces 'lose' with 'impair' and 'ability' with 'faculty', indicating a weakening or damaging of a particular skill.

decline in aptitude

Emphasizes a downward trend in aptitude, suggesting a gradual decrease in one's natural talent.

compromise skill set

Implies that the skill set has been affected, reducing effectiveness.

erode talent

Suggests a gradual wearing away of talent over time.

sacrifice potential

This suggests a deliberate or unavoidable loss of potential.

relinquish capacity

Indicates a voluntary surrender of one's capacity to do something.

surrender mastery

Suggests giving up a high level of skill or expertise.

sacrifice proficiency

Similar to relinquish competence but focuses on the practical aspect of proficiency.

FAQs

How can I use "lose ability" in a sentence?

You can use "lose ability" to describe a decline in a specific skill or capacity. For example, "Due to the injury, the athlete began to "lose ability" to run at full speed."

What are some alternatives to "lose ability"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "forfeit competence", "diminish skill", or "impair faculty".

Is it correct to say "loss of ability" instead of "lose ability"?

Yes, "loss of ability" is a correct and often interchangeable phrase. However, "loss of ability" functions as a noun phrase, while ""lose ability"" is a verb phrase.

What's the difference between "lose ability" and "lost ability"?

"Lose ability" indicates the process of losing a skill, while "lost ability" refers to the state of having already lost that skill. For example, "He will "lose ability" if he doesn't practice" versus "His lost ability is a major setback".