remaining ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remaining ability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the abilities or skills that are still available or left after certain conditions have been met or actions taken. Example: "Despite the challenges, she demonstrated her remaining ability to adapt to new situations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Mr. Emanuel didn't get all he wanted, especially given teachers' remaining ability to strike.

The New York Times

Ms. Williams won a ruling from the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit that she was "substantially limited in performing manual tasks" -- a judicial approach that avoided confronting the clouded issue of "working" -- and was therefore disabled despite her remaining ability to perform "a range of isolated, nonrepetitive manual tasks".

The New York Times

Three are big (New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut), and while the fifth, Rhode Island, is also small, Delaware is the one he has decided to use as a test of his remaining ability to mesmerize voters, or to yell at them until they vote for him.

The New Yorker

When the doctor didn't call back within a couple of days, Laura lost all her remaining ability to concentrate at work.

Huffington Post

The ruling effectively stripped tribes of their remaining ability to prosecute non-Natives who commit crimes in Indian Country, making the federal government the new sheriff in town, albeit a distant, mostly unavailable one.

Vice

Their remaining ability to bind to the antigen was measured by Biacore (Figure 2B).

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But others are clinging to their remaining abilities and wondering if they are too much of a burden to their loved ones.

The New York Times

Rehabilitation, medical and vocational, use of medical and vocational techniques to enable a sick or handicapped person to live as full a life as his or her remaining abilities and degree of health will allow.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The focus was on remaining abilities rather than on the limiting consequences of dementia.

BMC Nursing

How the therapist made use of the participants' remaining abilities to enhance residents' expressions, mood and cognitive and sensorimotor functioning within sessions.

BMC Geriatrics

Algase and colleagues [ 12] have suggested that behavioral problems associated with dementia result from unmet needs which the patient expresses using his remaining abilities.

BMC Geriatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a decline in abilities, use "remaining ability" to highlight what is still possible rather than focusing solely on what has been lost. This approach can foster a more positive and empowering perspective.

Common error

Avoid solely emphasizing the limitations implied by "remaining ability". Instead, balance the description by also outlining how this ability can be leveraged or supported to achieve specific goals. This provides a more complete and constructive picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remaining ability" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "remaining" modifies the noun "ability". It describes the residual capacity or capability after some form of reduction or loss. Examples in Ludwig show this usage in both scientific and general contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “remaining ability” is a grammatically sound and useful expression for describing residual capacity or capability. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s considered correct and can be applied in various contexts, particularly in science and news media. While not extremely frequent, it effectively highlights what capabilities are still present after some form of reduction or decline. When using this phrase, consider balancing the emphasis on limitations by also noting how the "remaining ability" can still be leveraged or supported. Alternatives include "residual capacity" and "remaining capability".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

residual capacity

Focuses on the quantity or volume of capacity that remains.

remaining capability

Emphasizes the capacity to perform a specific function.

residual skill

Highlights the skills that are still present.

unspent potential

Focuses on the untapped possibilities or resources.

undiminished capacity

Emphasizes that the capacity has not decreased.

preserved competence

Highlights the maintenance of a specific competence or skill.

extant talent

Focuses on the talent that still exists.

surviving aptitude

Emphasizes the aptitude that has endured or persisted.

continuing competence

Highlights the ongoing competence despite potential decline.

lingering proficiency

Emphasizes the skill that is still present, often after a decline.

FAQs

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

You can use "remaining ability" to describe the capacity someone or something still possesses after a decline or loss in overall capability. For example: "Despite his injury, he showed his "remaining ability" to lead the team".

What are some alternatives to "remaining ability"?

Some alternatives to "remaining ability" include "residual capacity", "remaining capability", or "residual skill", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to focus on "remaining ability" or lost ability?

The focus depends on the context. Highlighting "remaining ability" can be more empowering and constructive, especially when discussing rehabilitation or adaptation. Acknowledging lost ability might be necessary for accurate assessment, but should be balanced with recognizing strengths.

How does "remaining ability" differ from "potential ability"?

"Remaining ability" refers to what currently exists, even if diminished, while "potential ability" refers to what could be developed or achieved in the future. They describe different aspects of capability.