past ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "past ability" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing skills or capabilities someone had in the past. Example: "When I was younger, I had the past ability to run marathons." Alternative expressions include "previous ability" and "former ability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But why should our past ability to afford transportation to the hard-to-get-to fields blind us to the needs and rights of less fortunate New Yorkers?

The New York Times

"If we win a championship," Nets guard Jacque Vaughn said, "there'll be no more lingering questions about his career, about anything that anyone brings up: injuries in the past; ability to sustain for a season; ability to lead a team.

The New York Times

"The gaps call into serious question DYFS's past ability to ensure that its self-imposed regulatory requirements are properly interpreted and applied by the workers and supervisors responsible for enforcement," Mr. Ryan said.

The New York Times

His book is a timely reminder of Russia's deep-rooted interest in European security and its past ability to pursue these interests with grace, honour, discipline and professionalism virtues that are harder to reconstruct than any battle.

The Economist

Royal succession has been based on many things in the past: ability to lead troops, religion, connections - not always seniority by royal blood".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Perceived anticipation (savoring the future) and reminiscing (savoring the past) abilities declined from baseline to follow-up.

Personality and Individual Differences

"That organization has gone berserk in hiring six-figure people who bring limited qualifications and perform according to past abilities," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

The results confirmed past abilities in 'environmental urban design', showing great attention from the Romans during the planning process towards local wind conditions, which were accurately used in order to improve the city's overall health.

Sustainable Cities and Society

Star Dingo praised the port of A Link to the Pasts ability to retain its visuals.

Wikipedia

Mr. Neeleman was a charismatic entrepreneur who at times pushed the company's growth past its ability to manage.

The New York Times

In the past, the ability of these people to return to welfare was virtually assured, and federal financing automatically grew to meet demand.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing an individual's decline in skill, use "past ability" to clearly indicate a capability that has diminished over time. For example: "His present performance is not reflective of his past ability."

Common error

Avoid using "past ability" when describing current capabilities. This phrase specifically refers to skills that were present at an earlier time and may no longer exist or have diminished. Using it incorrectly can lead to misunderstanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "past ability" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "past" modifies the noun "ability". It is used to describe a capability or skill that someone or something possessed at an earlier time. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and understandable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "past ability" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a skill or capacity that existed at some point in the past. Ludwig AI identifies it as a neutral phrase, found in various contexts like news, science, and academia. Although not very common, it is a clear and concise way to express a skill that is no longer current. Alternatives such as "former skill" or "historical capacity" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. Remember to use this phrase accurately to avoid confusion between past and present capabilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

former skill

Replaces "ability" with "skill", emphasizing a learned capability that is no longer current.

previous competence

Substitutes "ability" with "competence", focusing on the state of being adequately qualified.

historical capacity

Replaces "ability" with "capacity" and "past" with "historical", indicating a former potential.

one-time aptitude

Uses "aptitude" instead of "ability", highlighting a natural talent that was present at some point.

past proficiency

Replaces "ability" with "proficiency", emphasizing a high degree of skill that existed in the past.

previous capability

Substitutes "ability" with "capability", focusing on having the power or fitness to do something.

bygone talent

Uses "talent" instead of "ability", stressing a natural, innate skill from a past time.

lost potential

Shifts focus to the unrealized possibilities from the past, rather than the concrete skills.

former prowess

Replaces "ability" with "prowess", highlighting exceptional skill or strength that existed previously.

historical know-how

Replaces "ability" with "know-how", stressing practical knowledge and skill from the past.

FAQs

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

Use "past ability" to refer to a skill or capacity that someone or something possessed at an earlier time. For example: "The athlete's decline was evident when compared to his "former skill"."

What's the difference between "past ability" and "current ability"?

"Past ability" refers to a skill that was present at some earlier time, while "current ability" describes the present level of skill. One refers to "previous competence" while the other refers to now.

Which is more formal, "past ability" or "former skill"?

Both "past ability" and "former skill" are suitable for formal contexts. The choice often depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey, but both are grammatically sound and widely understood.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "past ability"?

Depending on the specific context, alternatives to "past ability" include "historical capacity", "lost potential", or "one-time aptitude".