outstanding abilities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outstanding abilities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's exceptional skills or talents in a particular area. Example: "Her outstanding abilities in mathematics earned her a scholarship to a prestigious university."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Our children need teachers with outstanding abilities and rigorous academic training.

The New York Times

In this Monday's episode, he demonstrates outstanding abilities with the Ouija board.

The New York Times - Arts

Her 360-degree feedback confirmed both her outstanding abilities and the problems Will had observed.

Harvard Business Review

LL-37, the sole human cathelicidin draws particular attention because of its outstanding abilities.

Pharmacological Reports

Faster response to orientation varying is one of the outstanding abilities of a parallel kinematic machine (PKM).

Chinese Journal of Aeronautics

The Princeton University Graduate School will present awards to five graduate students in recognition of their outstanding abilities as teachers.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

They were selected because of their outstanding ability and aggressiveness.

Cornell University

There are scholarships available to applicants who demonstrate outstanding ability and potential at audition.

The Guardian

His outstanding ability and flamboyant personality made him a hero of boxing fans throughout the world.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rembrandt is renowned for his outstanding ability to render the human figure and its emotions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Chancellor George Osborne says Forbes is "an economist of outstanding ability with real practical experience of policy making.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's accomplishments, use "outstanding abilities" to underscore their exceptional skill set in a particular field. For example: "Her "outstanding abilities" in data analysis were crucial to the project's success."

Common error

Avoid pairing "outstanding abilities" with other generic adjectives. Instead of saying "very outstanding abilities", simply use "outstanding abilities" or a more specific descriptor like "exceptional analytical abilities".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outstanding abilities" functions as a noun phrase, where "outstanding" modifies the noun "abilities". It is used to describe someone's exceptional capabilities or skills, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "outstanding abilities" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe exceptional skills or talents. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources across academia, news media, and science. While "outstanding abilities" is generally used in neutral to professional contexts, it's crucial to avoid redundancy by not pairing it with other generic adjectives. For alternatives, consider "exceptional talents" or "remarkable skills", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptional talents

Replaces "abilities" with "talents" and "outstanding" with "exceptional", focusing on innate gifts.

remarkable skills

Substitutes "abilities" with "skills" and "outstanding" with "remarkable", highlighting learned proficiencies.

exceptional capabilities

Uses "capabilities" instead of "abilities" and "exceptional" for "outstanding", emphasizing potential for achievement.

extraordinary talents

Replaces "abilities" with "talents" and "outstanding" with "extraordinary", suggesting rarity.

notable aptitudes

Replaces "abilities" with "aptitudes" and "outstanding" with "notable", focusing on natural inclinations.

impressive competencies

Swaps "abilities" for "competencies" and "outstanding" for "impressive", highlighting demonstrated proficiency.

distinguished expertise

Replaces "abilities" with "expertise" and "outstanding" with "distinguished", pointing to specialized knowledge.

prominent strengths

Uses "strengths" instead of "abilities" and "prominent" for "outstanding", focusing on key advantages.

superior prowess

Substitutes "abilities" with "prowess" and "outstanding" with "superior", emphasizing exceptional skill in a specific field.

considerable mastery

Replaces "abilities" with "mastery" and "outstanding" with "considerable", implying comprehensive knowledge and skill.

FAQs

How can I use "outstanding abilities" in a sentence?

Use "outstanding abilities" to emphasize someone's exceptional skills or talents in a particular area. For example: "The candidate demonstrated "exceptional abilities" during the interview process" or "Her "remarkable skills" in negotiation led to a successful outcome".

What phrases can I use instead of "outstanding abilities"?

Alternatives include "exceptional talents", "remarkable skills", or "exceptional capabilities" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "outstanding ability" instead of "outstanding abilities"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "outstanding ability" typically refers to a general, singular skill, while "outstanding abilities" refers to multiple skills or a broad range of exceptional capabilities. Choose the one that best fits the context.

How does "outstanding abilities" differ from "good skills"?

"Outstanding abilities" implies a level of skill that is far above average, suggesting exceptional talent or mastery. "Good skills", on the other hand, simply suggests a competent level of proficiency. "Outstanding abilities" should be used when something is truly exceptional.