the ability to combine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the ability to combine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person's skill to join two or more things together. For example, "John has the ability to combine his work ethic with his desire to succeed, making him especially successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have the ability to combine Old World handmade craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology".

The New York Times

The ability to combine theory, creativity and engineering was a great achievement of postwar America.

The New York Times - Books

In golf, it is the ability to combine physical talent with the requisite mental toughness.

The New York Times - Sports

Successful product innovation requires the ability to combine innovative design, manufacturing know-how and intuition about what consumers want, Mr. Siegel said.

The New York Times

One of its key areas of success has been, like Vice.com, the ability to combine funny items with stories that actually matter.

Independent

The ability to combine them (including data analytics).

European Journal of Futures Research

A key advantage of our method is the ability to combine data from different family structures.

The American Journal of Human Genetics

The major problem with mouse-based manipulations is that they lack the ability to combine rotation and translation.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

The ability to combine knowledge, mainly for technological purposes, might be posed as an important competitive advantage.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

This experience is complemented by the ability to combine your own 3D image inside the game scene, in real-time".

TechCrunch

Jurist-Rosner and Roche say their most important criteria is the ability to combine strong project management skills with empathy.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific skill, follow "the ability to combine" with a clear explanation of what is being combined and the resulting benefit or outcome. For example, "The ability to combine data analytics with marketing insights allows for more targeted advertising campaigns."

Common error

Avoid using "the ability to combine" without specifying what is being combined. Vague statements like "The company needs the ability to combine" lack impact. Instead, be specific: "The company needs the ability to combine its online and offline sales data to improve customer service."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the ability to combine" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the capacity or skill to bring multiple elements together, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the ability to combine" is a versatile and frequently used noun phrase that signifies the capacity to bring multiple elements together. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and applicable across various contexts. It appears most commonly in scientific and news-related sources, suggesting a formal to neutral register. To use it effectively, specify what is being combined to avoid vagueness. Related phrases like "the capacity to integrate" or "the aptitude for merging" can offer nuanced alternatives. The phrase's pervasive presence in authoritative sources underscores its importance in clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the capacity to integrate

Emphasizes the skill of bringing different elements into a unified whole.

the aptitude for merging

Highlights the natural talent or learned skill in uniting distinct entities.

the competence to synthesize

Focuses on the capability to create something new by combining different ideas or elements.

the skill of amalgamating

Stresses the proficiency in blending or uniting various components.

the faculty of unifying

Highlights the inherent power or ability to bring things together into a cohesive unit.

the talent for fusing

Emphasizes a natural gift for joining or blending elements seamlessly.

the wherewithal to incorporate

Highlights having the necessary resources or means to bring elements together.

the art of blending

Focuses on the creative skill and finesse in mixing or combining different elements.

the process of consolidation

Shifts the focus from ability to action, referring to the procedure of uniting elements.

the means for aggregating

Stresses the methods or resources available for gathering and combining elements.

FAQs

How can I use "the ability to combine" in a sentence?

You can use "the ability to combine" to describe a skill or capability of bringing different things together. For example, "Successful product innovation requires "the ability to combine innovative design", manufacturing know-how and intuition about what consumers want."

What are some alternatives to "the ability to combine"?

Alternatives include "the capacity to integrate", "the aptitude for merging", or "the skill of amalgamating" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "ability to combine" or "the ability to combine"?

While both are grammatically correct, "the ability to combine" is more formal and specific. "Ability to combine" is more general. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

What's the difference between "the ability to combine" and "the ability to merge"?

While similar, "combine" generally implies bringing different things together, while "merge" suggests uniting things into a single entity. Depending on the context, one may be more appropriate than the other.