prove your ability

USAGE SUMMARY

"prove your ability" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage someone to demonstrate their proficiency or skill in something. For example: "If you really want this job, you'll need to prove your ability by successfully completing the assessment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Highlight activities that demonstrate teamwork or communication skills, or which prove your ability to see through a project to completion.

The Guardian

A recruiter will be looking for similar experience or a solid employment record to prove your ability to do the job.

The Guardian

For example, you might write "I have strong communication skills", but this doesn't prove your ability, it just tells the recruiter about it.

The Guardian

The first should focus on an internal community, so you can prove your ability to co-create within your company to potential partners.

Harvard Business Review

A dissertation will prove your ability to produce original research with original, impactful ideas.

WikiHow

You will have to prove your ability and willingness to repay a loan to get approved for a loan.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It "can make you more determined to prove your abilities," sharpen "your ­competitiveness," and give "you an ­incentive to prove people wrong".

Huffington Post

You will have to promote yourself and look for opportunities to step up and prove your abilities.

WikiHow

If you are one of those applicants, consider a post-baccalaureate or masters program (offered at many medical schools) to prove your abilities and gain acceptance.

WikiHow

Credit unions Although you are unlikely to be able to borrow more than £1,000 until you have proved your ability to save, credit unions are another low-cost avenue to explore if you have been shut out by the mainstream banks.

Independent

You likely made it into a manager position because you proved you could be successful at the job you were doing as an individual contributor, but not because you proved your ability to manage a group of individual contributors.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In persuasive writing, back up your arguments with data and facts to "prove your ability" to analyze and interpret information effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "prove your ability" without offering concrete examples or quantifiable results. Overstating your skills without evidence can undermine your credibility and make your claims seem less trustworthy. Provide specific instances where you successfully applied the skill you are claiming to possess.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prove your ability" functions as an imperative verb phrase, urging someone to demonstrate or validate their skill or competence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and commonly used construction. The phrase is often used to encourage action or to highlight the need for evidence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prove your ability" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that calls for the validation of one's skills or competence, confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news, wiki, and formal business contexts, the phrase urges individuals to offer concrete evidence of their capabilities. When using this phrase, it is best to provide specific examples and quantifiable results, avoiding overstatements without supporting evidence. Alternatives such as "demonstrate your competence" and "show your proficiency" may be suitable in more formal settings. Remember to validate claims with tangible evidence for increased credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrate your competence

Replaces 'ability' with 'competence', emphasizing demonstrated skill.

show your proficiency

Uses 'proficiency' to highlight expertise in a specific area.

validate your skills

Implies providing evidence of one's skill set.

confirm your capabilities

Stresses the act of verifying existing potential or skills.

establish your credibility

Focuses on building trust through demonstrated capability.

substantiate your talent

Emphasizes providing concrete evidence of natural aptitude.

verify your qualifications

Highlights the formal aspect of proving skills, often in professional contexts.

attest to your aptitude

Formally declares one's natural capacity or talent.

vindicate your potential

Suggests justifying or clearing doubts about one's future capabilities.

endorse your capacity

A more formal way to support or vouch for someone's ability.

FAQs

How can I "prove my ability" in a job interview?

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, providing specific examples that showcase your skills and accomplishments. Quantify your results whenever possible to demonstrate the impact of your actions.

What's a good alternative to saying "prove your ability" in a formal setting?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "demonstrate your competence" or "show your proficiency" to convey a similar meaning with a slightly more professional tone.

Is it better to "prove your abilities" or "demonstrate your abilities"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and widely used. However, "demonstrate your abilities" might be perceived as slightly less assertive than "prove your abilities", making it a suitable choice in situations where a softer approach is preferred.

When is it appropriate to use "prove your ability" in writing?

The phrase "prove your ability" is appropriate in various contexts, including resumes, cover letters, performance reviews, and persuasive writing. It's particularly effective when you want to emphasize the need to provide evidence or validation of one's skills or capabilities.