substantial ability

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantial ability" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the level of ability that a person or organization possess, such as when they have a large amount of skill or knowledge. For example, "The company has a substantial ability to develop software solutions for any type of business problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Certain clay minerals, notably palygorskite, sepiolite, and some smectites, possess substantial ability to remove coloured bodies from oil.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The pure PADE was superior to the commercial PPDs and displayed a substantial ability of wax crystals dispersion.

Journal of Natural Gas Chemistry

"We are blessed to be in countries with a substantial ability to deliver the people of the globe a better quality of life through fossil fuels," he said.

The Washington Post

Fuller's earth, any fine-grained, naturally occurring earthy substance that has a substantial ability to adsorb impurities or colouring bodies from fats, grease, or oils.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hydrotropes are a class of compounds though amphiphilic in character, they have short hydrophobic regions and thus differ from classical surfactants, yet they display substantial ability to solubilise non-polar compounds in water [Langmuir 13 (1997 3235]].

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Compared to commercial nitro plasticizers, BDNPEF synthesized in this study showed good plasticization efficiency with a decrease in glass transition temperature (Tg) and viscosity of uncured glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) blends, as well as substantial ability to plasticize the GAP-based polyurethanes (PUs).

Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

An MP with substantial abilities, over 18 years he amassed a personal stretch of glory of two years as parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to a minister of state: clearly he was in it for something else.

The Guardian

This produces a tension between the rational and substantial abilities that ESV must sustain on the one hand, and the rhetorical and procedural qualities it should develop on the other hand.

Ecosystem Services

Working Girl's Guitar showcases Flores' substantial abilities as a producer and guitarist in one of the cleanest productions audiophiles will hear this year.

HuffPost

This electrode exhibits substantial catalytic ability toward the oxidation of nitrite anions.

Electrochimica Acta

Stability and reusability of the MIPs up to the 5th cycle meant that they could be applied repeatedly without losing substantial removal ability.

Analytica Chimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's "substantial ability", be specific about the area or skill in which they excel to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial ability" when "moderate ability" or "adequate ability" would be more accurate. Ensure the qualifier accurately reflects the level of competence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial ability" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "substantial" modifies the noun "ability". It describes the degree or extent of someone's capacity or skill.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

34%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial ability" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes a significant degree of skill or competence. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various domains, including science, news, and academia. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the level of competence you are describing and specify the area in which the ability is demonstrated for maximum clarity. Alternatives such as "considerable skill" or "significant capacity" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable skill

Emphasizes the expertise and proficiency involved.

significant capacity

Focuses on the potential or volume of work someone can handle.

notable competence

Highlights the quality and effectiveness of the ability.

marked aptitude

Suggests a natural talent or inclination towards something.

strong capability

Underscores the power and effectiveness of the ability.

pronounced talent

Emphasizes a distinct and easily observable talent.

appreciable proficiency

Highlights a measurable degree of skill or expertise.

remarkable potential

Focuses on the future possibilities and growth of the ability.

exceptional aptitude

Suggests an extraordinary and uncommon talent.

ample capacity

Indicates a large and sufficient amount of ability.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial ability" to describe a significant level of skill or competence in a particular area. For example, "She demonstrated a "substantial ability" in data analysis."

What are some synonyms for "substantial ability"?

Alternatives to "substantial ability" include "considerable skill", "significant capacity", or "notable competence" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "substantial ability in" or "substantial ability to"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "substantial ability to" is often used when describing the capacity to perform an action, while "substantial ability in" is used when describing skill in a particular field. For example, "substantial ability to lead" versus "substantial ability in mathematics".

How does "substantial ability" differ from "average ability"?

"Substantial ability" implies a level of skill or competence that is significantly above average. "Average ability" indicates a more moderate, typical level of competence.