similar ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "similar ability" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to compare the level of skill, talent or proficiency between two or more people or objects. Example: She and her sister have similar abilities in playing the piano.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Students will be placed with others of similar ability.

Columbia University

Upon arrival, the students play for the faculty and are placed in groups of similar ability.

The New York Times

It is often difficult to find like-minded partners of similar ability levels.

University of California, Berkeley

A similar ability is routine in sheep, which can distinguish among faces within their flock and among humans.

The New Yorker

Patients always prefer particularly to compare themselves with others of relatively similar ability, opinion and situation.

Journal of Orthopaedic Science

Interestingly, 3.3 μM HBK001 showed a similar ability to enhance insulin secretion as APD597 at 10 μM.

Nature

Windows Media Player does not have a similar ability to change AAC to WMA, but other programs can handle this.

The New York Times - Tech

"We pick students of similar ability from the east and west [sides of the river] and form bands," Maslo said.

The Guardian

He rates the horse as being of similar ability to his Classic Cut, who won a novice hurdle at Kelso last month.

The Guardian - Sport

Cameron says some female undergraduates on the borderline between a 2.1 and a first "are not getting the same attention that men of similar ability get from tutors".

The Guardian

No other species has a similar ability, making it the secret of our dominance as a species and Wolfe writes: "Humans are pretty pathetic physically.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing individuals or groups, use "similar ability" to objectively highlight their comparable skill levels in a specific context. For example, "Students of similar ability were grouped together for the advanced class."

Common error

Avoid using "similar ability" without a clear reference point. For instance, instead of saying "They have similar ability", specify "They have similar ability in project management".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "similar ability" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, often used to describe individuals, groups, or even objects that possess comparable levels of skill, talent, or proficiency in a specific area. As Ludwig suggests, it's a grammatically correct and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "similar ability" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate comparable levels of skill or talent across different entities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread application across various domains including Science, News & Media and Academia. When using "similar ability", ensure you provide a clear context to avoid vagueness and consider alternatives like "comparable skill set" or "equivalent competence" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comparable skill set

Focuses on the specific set of skills possessed.

equivalent competence

Highlights the equal level of proficiency.

matching aptitude

Emphasizes the natural talent or potential.

alike in capability

Stresses the similarity in overall power or capacity.

parallel proficiency

Indicates a corresponding level of expertise.

corresponding talent

Highlights the agreement in natural ability.

equal dexterity

Emphasizes the equality in physical or mental skill.

related capacity

Focuses on the connection in the ability to contain or produce.

uniform potential

Stresses the consistent level of future possibility.

close to matching skills

Indicates the proximity in the skill level between two or more entities.

FAQs

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

You can use "similar ability" to compare skill levels, such as: "The students were grouped based on "similar ability" in mathematics".

What's a good alternative to "similar ability"?

Alternatives include "comparable skill set", "equivalent competence", or "matching aptitude", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "similar abilities" instead of "similar ability"?

Both "similar ability" and "similar abilities" are grammatically correct. "Similar ability" refers to the general capacity, while "similar abilities" refers to specific skills.

How does "similar ability" differ from "equal ability"?

"Similar ability" implies a close but not necessarily identical level of skill, whereas "equal ability" suggests an identical level. They are used in comparable settings but denote a different degree of proximity.