the ability to discover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the ability to discover" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's capacity or skill to find or uncover information, knowledge, or insights. Example: "Her research project showcased the ability to discover new patterns in data that had previously gone unnoticed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"How much it just drowns everything out, the ability to discover things.

The Guardian - Film

But if this kind of artifice is a specialty of cinema, so is the ability to discover what is truly strange in the world that exists.

The New York Times

He does this archaeological mapping of unknown places, and has the ability to discover and see the beauty of the places we often ignore, and are on our doorstep.

The Guardian - Music

First of all, advances in detection have improved the ability to discover cancers earlier and to diagnose them more accurately than was the case only a few years ago.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The ability to discover local 'Grammers showing the beauty around you is something I've been requesting for four years.

TechCrunch

However, based on their abstract representation of molecules, one of the strengths of pharmacophore-based approaches is the ability to discover new chemical entities.

Journal of Cheminformatics

However, we believe that this is compensated for by (i) the ability to discover compatible subtypes and (ii) the increased efficiency of reconfiguration, as we demonstrate in Sect.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Those topological or structural fingerprints yield promising results with respect to the enrichment of active molecules, but often lack the ability to discover new chemical entities [10].

Journal of Cheminformatics

Scattered knowledge about defects and defect detection techniques needs compilation and re-evaluation in order to enhance the ability to discover defects in the requirements phase.

Alexandria Engineering Journal

Sources have told us that this will offer users the ability to discover music by following influential users on the platform.

TechCrunch

Amidst the seeming chaos of social media, brands need the ability to discover valuable social media content, the metrics and visualize it.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing innovation, pair "the ability to discover" with action-oriented verbs to highlight the impact of uncovering new knowledge or solutions.

Common error

Avoid using "the ability to discover" when simpler terms like "finding" or "detecting" suffice. Overusing this phrase can inflate the importance of routine tasks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the ability to discover" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing a capacity or skill. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the ability to discover" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase, commonly used to emphasize the capacity to find new information or solutions. As noted by Ludwig AI, its usage is widespread across various domains, especially in science and news media. While synonyms like "the capacity to find" or "the aptitude for uncovering" offer alternatives, it's crucial to use this phrase judiciously to avoid overstating significance. By understanding its function and context, writers can effectively leverage "the ability to discover" to enhance their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the capacity to find

Replaces "ability" with "capacity" focusing on the potential to discover.

the power to detect

Emphasizes the strength or capability to identify something.

the aptitude for uncovering

Highlights a natural talent or skill in revealing hidden things.

the potential for exploration

Shifts the focus to the possibility of investigating and finding new things.

the wherewithal to ascertain

Suggests having the necessary resources or means to determine something.

skill in identifying

Focuses on the expertise in recognizing specific items or information.

talent for revelation

Highlights a natural gift for making something known or visible.

knack for detecting

Suggests an intuitive skill for noticing or discovering something.

competence in unearthing

Emphasizes the proficiency in finding something hidden or buried.

the means to reveal

Focuses on having the necessary tools or methods to disclose something.

FAQs

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

You can use "the ability to discover" when referring to someone's capacity or skill in finding or uncovering information. For example: "Her research project demonstrated the ability to discover new patterns in data."

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

Some alternatives include "the capacity to find", "the power to detect", or "the aptitude for uncovering".

Is it better to use "the ability to discover" or "the ability to explore"?

While both are correct, "the ability to discover" focuses on finding something new or hidden, whereas "the ability to explore" refers to the act of investigating something thoroughly. The best choice depends on the specific context. Consider using "the potential for exploration".

When is it appropriate to use "the ability to discover" in formal writing?

Use "the ability to discover" in formal writing when you want to emphasize the skill or capacity to find new information or solutions. It is particularly suitable when discussing research, innovation, or problem-solving. It is also often used in Science, therefore it's possible to replace with "talent for revelation", in this context.