shown an ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shown an ability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has demonstrated a particular skill or capability in a specific context. Example: "The candidate has shown an ability to lead teams effectively during challenging projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No one has shown an ability to get hot.

The New York Times

But the firm hasn't shown an ability to generate profits.

The New York Times

The group has shown an ability to revive itself.

The Economist

He has also shown an ability to raise significant amounts of money.

The New York Times

But lately, Marbury has shown an ability to remain calm under excitable circumstances.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. King has also shown an ability to raise campaign money.

The New York Times

Over time, Mr. Murdoch has shown an ability to adapt to changing political winds.

The New York Times

Mr. Paterson, however, has shown an ability in the past to put deals together.

The New York Times

He has shown an ability to think creatively and to maximise the talents at his disposal.

The Guardian - Sport

And Mr. Sanders has shown an ability to create grass-roots excitement in surprising places.

The New York Times

But Mr. Gates has shown an ability to manage the Pentagon even with a small inner circle.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's accomplishments, use "shown an ability" to highlight specific instances where they demonstrated a skill, rather than just stating they possess it. For example, "The candidate has shown an ability to lead teams effectively during challenging projects."

Common error

Avoid using "shown an ability" when the ability is merely claimed but not demonstrated through concrete actions or results. Instead, provide specific examples to support the assertion, or use a more tentative phrase like "claims to have an ability".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shown an ability" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's capacity or skill. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to indicate that someone has demonstrated a particular skill or capability in a specific context. Examples include "He has also shown an ability to raise significant amounts of money."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shown an ability" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to highlight demonstrated skills or competencies. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is prevalent across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic domains. It is effective for substantiating claims about someone's capabilities with concrete examples. For enhanced clarity, prioritize showcasing specific instances of demonstrated abilities and consider alternatives such as "demonstrated a talent" or "displayed a capability" to add nuance. Be mindful of overgeneralizing abilities and focus on demonstrated actions for credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrated a talent

Replaces "ability" with "talent", emphasizing a natural aptitude.

displayed a capability

Substitutes "shown an ability" with "displayed a capability", focusing on inherent capacity.

exhibited a competence

Uses "exhibited" instead of "shown", highlighting demonstrated proficiency.

manifested a skill

Replaces "shown" with "manifested", emphasizing the outward display of a skill.

proved capable

Shifts the structure to focus on the state of being capable rather than the act of showing.

established a knack

Uses "knack" to denote a specific talent and "established" for demonstration.

revealed a potential

Focuses on the revelation of underlying potential rather than demonstrated ability.

illustrated an aptitude

Substitutes "ability" with "aptitude", indicating a natural inclination.

portrayed a proficiency

Replaces "shown" with "portrayed" and "ability" with "proficiency", focusing on competence.

unveiled a capacity

Uses "unveiled" to highlight the revealing of a latent capacity.

FAQs

How can I use "shown an ability" in a sentence?

Use "shown an ability" to highlight instances where someone has demonstrated a particular skill or competence. For example, "The student has shown an ability to grasp complex concepts quickly."

What are some alternatives to "shown an ability"?

You can use alternatives like "demonstrated a talent", "displayed a capability", or "exhibited a competence" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "demonstrated an ability" and "shown an ability"?

While both phrases are similar, "demonstrated an ability" often implies a more formal or explicit display of skill, whereas "shown an ability" can encompass more subtle or informal displays. The nuance is very small and most of the time they are interchangeable.

When is it appropriate to use "hasn't shown an ability"?

Use "hasn't shown an ability" when referring to someone's failure to demonstrate a particular skill or competence. For instance, "The new recruit hasn't shown an ability to work independently."