lose the ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'lose the ability' is correct and can be used in written English.
It may be used to describe a situation in which someone is no longer able to do something they had the capability of doing. For example, "Due to the injury, the basketball player was forced to lose the ability to play the sport."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Patients lose the ability to speak.

The New York Times - Health

Most adults lose the ability to dream like this.

The Guardian

(4) Residual viable cells lose the ability of self-renewal and adherent differentiation.

Brain Research

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

As a result, people with ALS gradually lose the ability to control their muscles.

Harvard University

As ALS progresses, patients lose the ability to move, speak, and breathe on their own.

Columbia University

It's almost as if these older cells lose the ability to store, or park, these aggregates.

Stanford University

If we don't transform our economic model, we could lose the ability to grow".

The New York Times

Autistic children lose the ability to learn by observation, something other children do constantly.

The New York Times - Science

Near the end, they lose the ability to feed themselves, slip into a coma and die.

The New York Times

After Lev's death, however, Maria will lose the ability to move on.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lose the ability", ensure the context clearly specifies what ability is being lost and, if relevant, the cause or reason for the loss.

Common error

Avoid vague statements. Instead of saying someone "lost the ability", specify what they can no longer do, such as "lose the ability to speak" or "lose the ability to walk".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose the ability" functions as a verb phrase indicating the cessation of a capability or skill. As evidenced by Ludwig, it connects a subject with the action of no longer possessing a particular aptitude.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lose the ability" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe the loss of a skill or capability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly found in diverse contexts ranging from news reports and academic discussions to scientific publications. The phrase is best used when the context clearly defines what specific ability is being lost. When writing, avoid vague applications of the expression and specify the exact skill or capacity that is diminished or has ceased to exist. As shown by Ludwig's examples, this term is very common in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no longer have the capacity

Directly states the absence of the capability.

become unable to

Emphasizes the state of being incapable, typically due to circumstance.

cease to be able to

Formal way of expressing the termination of a capability.

forfeit the capacity

Implies a more formal or legal loss of capability.

relinquish the skill

Suggests a voluntary giving up of a learned skill.

compromise one's capability

Indicates that an action or event has weakened a person's abilities.

sacrifice the power

Highlights the cost associated with losing influence or control.

be deprived of the faculty

Indicates a loss of a specific mental or physical power.

impair one's aptitude

Focuses on a decline or weakening of natural talent.

suffer a decline in competence

Suggests a gradual reduction in skill level.

FAQs

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

You can use "lose the ability" to describe when someone or something no longer has a particular skill or capacity. For example, "As ALS progresses, patients "lose the ability to move", speak, and breathe on their own."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "lose the ability"?

Alternatives include phrases like "become unable to", "cease to be able to", or "no longer have the capacity", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "lose the ability" or "lost the ability"?

The choice between "lose the ability" and "lost the ability" depends on the tense of your sentence. Use "lose the ability" for present or future tenses (e.g., "They may lose the ability"), and "lost the ability" for past tenses (e.g., "They lost the ability").

What's the difference between "lose the ability" and "diminish in skill"?

"Lose the ability" implies a complete loss of a skill or capacity, while "diminish in skill" suggests a reduction or weakening of that skill. For example, a surgeon might "lose the ability to operate" due to an injury, while an athlete might "diminish in skill" due to age.