powerful ability

USAGE SUMMARY

"powerful ability" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that possesses great strength or skill in doing something. Example: Her powerful ability to empathize with others made her the go-to person for offering emotional support.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Fabric has a powerful ability to evoke the past," she said.

The New York Times

Empathy is a powerful ability that most mammals possess to a greater or lesser extent.

The Guardian

My family has a powerful ability to pretend their problems will just go away.

The Guardian - Opinion

Neilson added that soaps have a powerful ability to "create a feeling of community".

Independent

However, this 3D model has powerful ability in utilizing very complex terrain.

Computers & Fluids

The compound is the first to show a powerful ability to eliminate, not just prevent, Zika virus infection.

Cornell University

However, despite metabolism's powerful ability to alter the course of infections, little is known about what being "sick" means metabolically.

Stanford University

Ms. Peyton said she was impressed by Neel's powerful ability "to connect with all kinds of people".

The New York Times - Arts

Unbeknownst to the students, they were using the brains' powerful ability to recognize patterns and adapt to them.

Harvard Business Review

Introducing "Gomorrah" at the New York Film Festival last fall, Martin Scorsese said the film's strength lay in its powerful ability to convey a sense of no exit.

The New York Times

Regarding "An Encounter with a Television Psychic" [July 16]: There is little doubt in my mind that John Edward has a very special and powerful ability.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific ability, follow "powerful ability" with a prepositional phrase (e.g., "powerful ability to influence", "powerful ability in mathematics") to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "powerful ability" in conjunction with other words that already imply strength or capability. For example, saying "powerful ability to dominate" can be redundant; instead, consider using just "powerful domination".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "powerful ability" functions as a noun phrase, where 'powerful' modifies 'ability'. It emphasizes the strength or intensity of a particular skill or capability. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "powerful ability" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe significant skill or capacity. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its widespread use across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. While alternatives like "formidable capacity" or "remarkable skill" can add nuance, "powerful ability" remains a versatile and effective choice. When using this phrase, consider following it with a prepositional phrase to provide specific context, and avoid redundancy with other strong adjectives. It's deemed appropriate for formal writing and helps effectively convey the strength or potential impact of the described ability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potent capacity

Replaces formidable with potent, both refer to very capable.

formidable capacity

Replaces 'ability' with 'capacity' and 'powerful' with 'formidable', suggesting an impressive and potentially intimidating strength.

remarkable skill

Substitutes 'ability' with 'skill' and 'powerful' with 'remarkable', highlighting expertise and talent.

extraordinary talent

Replaces 'ability' with 'talent' and 'powerful' with 'extraordinary', emphasizing exceptional natural aptitude.

significant competence

Substitutes 'ability' with 'competence' and 'powerful' with 'significant', focusing on a notable level of proficiency.

exceptional aptitude

Replaces 'ability' with 'aptitude' and 'powerful' with 'exceptional', indicating an outstanding natural inclination or skill.

considerable prowess

Replaces 'ability' with 'prowess' and 'powerful' with 'considerable', suggesting superior skill or strength, especially in a particular activity or field.

notable effectiveness

Shifts the focus to the outcome by using effectiveness, and notable is used to mean something worthy of attention.

substantial influence

Changes the focus to impact or control, replacing 'ability' with 'influence' and 'powerful' with 'substantial'.

immense potential

Shifts the focus to untapped capabilities, using 'potential' instead of 'ability' and 'immense' instead of 'powerful'.

FAQs

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

You can use "powerful ability" to describe someone's skill or something's capability in various contexts. For example, "The new software has a "powerful ability" to analyze large datasets quickly" or "Her "powerful ability" to connect with people made her an excellent leader".

What are some alternatives to "powerful ability"?

Some alternatives include "formidable capacity", "remarkable skill", or "extraordinary talent" depending on the context. Each alternative conveys a similar sense of strength or capability.

Is it redundant to say "very powerful ability"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "very powerful ability" can be somewhat redundant. The word "powerful" already implies a high degree of strength, so adding "very" might not add significant emphasis. Consider using just ""powerful ability"" or choosing a stronger synonym.

Can "powerful ability" be used in formal writing?

Yes, ""powerful ability"" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in academic or professional contexts. It clearly and effectively conveys a significant level of capability or skill. However, always consider the specific tone and audience when choosing your words.