need ability

USAGE SUMMARY

'need ability' is not a complete sentence and is not correct or usable in written English.
You can use the phrase 'require ability' in written English instead. Example: This job requires a high level of ability.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

They need a combination of that ability, sure they need ability, but you have to add the following into the pot – courage, motivation, attitude and honesty.

Independent

We need ability to upgrade it, and it could even change according to the [terror] threat".

Forbes

This intuitive trade-off between efficiency (e.g. medical need, ability to benefit) and fairness (e.g. waiting lists, equal chances) [ 2], may be further characterized as a trade-off between multiple core ethical values.

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Ultimately, his commitment to the local health needs, ability to build a strong R&D organization, and vision were key ingredients to Shantha's success.

Globalization and Health

National needs, abilities and perceptions vary too much.

The New York Times

Not all will want to participate, and among those who do there will be infinite different needs, abilities and opinions.

The Guardian - Opinion

But in a broader, wilder way, they are simply being what they are: creatures responding to their own needs, abilities and evolutionary designs.

The New York Times

The needs, abilities and preferences of drivers (in particular older drivers) are clearly a prime focus, as part of a user-centred design approach.

International Journal of Human-Computer Studies

Direct them based on your values and their wants, needs, abilities and weaknesses.

Huffington Post

Special abilities are often necessary to unlock secrets, and story mode does not always provide characters with needed abilities.

Wikipedia

As they grow and mature, their needs, abilities, interests and challenges change (3).

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "need ability" with more grammatically correct alternatives like "require ability" or "need the ability" to improve clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Don't use "need ability" directly. Instead, structure your sentences to include a determiner ("the") or rephrase to use a stronger verb like "require" for better grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need ability" functions as a noun phrase expressing a requirement or necessity for a particular capability. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically incorrect and not suitable for formal writing. It requires modification to be considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "need ability" appears in various contexts such as news, science, and formal business, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's better to use more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "require the ability" or "need the ability". These alternatives improve clarity and professionalism, making them more suitable for formal writing. When aiming for precision, substituting synonyms like "skill", "expertise", or "competence" can further refine your message. Ultimately, opting for grammatically correct alternatives will enhance the credibility and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

require the capability

Replaces "need" with "require" and "ability" with "capability" for a more formal tone.

necessitate the aptitude

Substitutes "need" with "necessitate" and "ability" with "aptitude", increasing the formality.

demand the skill

Uses "demand" instead of "need" and "skill" instead of "ability", offering a slightly stronger emphasis.

call for the talent

Employs "call for" to replace "need" and "talent" instead of "ability", suggesting a specific inherent quality.

have a requirement for skill

Restructures the phrase to emphasize the "requirement" of having a skill.

have a demand for expertise

Changes to "expertise" for a more specialized form of ability and rewords the sentence structure.

must possess the faculty

Uses "possess" for a more formal and emphatic tone, with "faculty" used instead of "ability".

should have the capacity

Expresses a recommendation or expectation to "have the capacity" instead of "need ability".

must demonstrate competence

Shifts the focus to demonstrating a quality, replacing "need" with "must demonstrate" and "ability" with "competence".

benefit from added expertise

Indicates a benefit from increased ability rather than a necessity.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound way to express "need ability"?

Instead of "need ability", you can say "require the ability" or "need the ability". Both options are grammatically correct and clearer.

Can I use "need ability" in formal writing?

It's best to avoid "need ability" in formal contexts. Opt for phrases like "require capability" or "necessitate expertise" for a more professional tone.

Is there a difference between "need ability" and "require ability"?

"Need ability" is grammatically awkward. "Require ability" is a more formal and grammatically correct way to express the same idea.

What are some alternatives to "ability" that I can use with "need"?

You can replace "ability" with synonyms like "skill", "expertise", "competence", or "talent" depending on the specific context. For example, "need skill" or "need expertise".