test his abilities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "test his abilities" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to evaluating someone's skills or competencies in a specific area. Example: "The coach decided to test his abilities during the practice match to see if he was ready for the upcoming tournament."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

This kind of program helps the student solidify his knowledge and test his abilities.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

The designer flicked through them, discarding all but 20, and asked him to create a small collection to test his abilities.

The New York Times

Iwamura was 3 years old when Nomo retired from the Kintetsu Buffaloes at the peak of his career so he could test his abilities in the United States.

The New York Times - Sports

Matsui has completed the minimum nine years needed to become a free agent under Japanese rules and wasted no time in announcing his decision to test his abilities in the major leagues.

The New York Times - Sports

The house at top is negligible, the "abandonment" below richly rendered, and any painter who could do that would surely need to test his abilities against the ferocious blizzards of painting without any house at all.

The Washington Post

He was eager to test his abilities in nonscientific experiments, to plug his brain directly into Final Fantasy XIV just straight-up computer-game interface". One afternoon, he told me, "I always say, why don't we call Guinness, and do a bunch of stupid crap there you go, world record, never been done!

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

His first obsession was movement, and he orchestrated moments -- his brother and cousins jumping, his cat leaping -- to test his ability to freeze action.

The New York Times - Arts

For Mr. Rubio, who came to power six years ago as a Tea Party insurgent, his Senate race will test his ability to hold on as an establishment figure.

The New York Times

His influence over the president's new budget will test his ability to put a stamp on agency budgets and missions.

The New York Times

There will be different challenges every week that will test his ability to lead the nation in a time of crisis.

The New York Times

While Mr. Bloomberg's popularity has increased, the convention promises to test his ability to satisfy an electorate that is overwhelmingly Democratic.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "test his abilities", ensure the context clearly defines the specific skills or competencies being evaluated to avoid ambiguity. Consider using more specific language if the situation warrants it.

Common error

Avoid using "test his abilities" in contexts where a more specific assessment method is implied. For instance, if you're discussing a formal examination, it's better to state "administer an exam" rather than broadly saying "test his abilities".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "test his abilities" functions as a verb phrase where 'test' is the verb, 'his' is a possessive pronoun, and 'abilities' is the noun. The phrase typically acts as the predicate of a sentence, indicating the action being performed on the subject. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "test his abilities" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for indicating the evaluation of someone's skills or competencies. While considered uncommon in frequency, it appears most often in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, with examples showing its usage across varied scenarios. When using this phrase, it's best to be specific about the skills being tested to avoid ambiguity and to consider more formal alternatives like "assess his capabilities" in professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put his skills to the test

Emphasizes the act of challenging his abilities in a practical way.

assess his capabilities

Focuses on a formal evaluation of potential skills.

evaluate his proficiency

Emphasizes measuring the level of skill in a particular area.

gauge his competence

Highlights measuring his adequacy or fitness to perform a task.

examine his skills

Suggests a detailed inspection of his abilities.

measure his performance

Centers on quantifying the effectiveness of his actions.

scrutinize his talents

Implies a critical and thorough examination of his natural endowments.

trial his expertise

Involves putting his specialized knowledge to the test.

prove his mettle

Focuses on demonstrating his strength and resilience under pressure.

check his aptitude

Highlights assessing his natural capacity to learn or do something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "test his abilities" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "assess his capabilities" or "evaluate his proficiency", which convey a more professional tone.

What does it mean to "test his abilities"?

To "test his abilities" means to evaluate or assess someone's skills, knowledge, or competence in a particular area, often through practical application or specific challenges.

Is there a difference between "test his ability" and "test his abilities"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "test his ability" refers to a general skill or aptitude, whereas "test his abilities" implies assessing multiple specific skills or areas of competence.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "test his abilities"?

Use "test his abilities" when you want to convey the idea of putting someone's skills or knowledge to the test in a real-world or simulated scenario, such as in sports, academics, or professional settings.