threatening the ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "threatening the ability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations or actions that jeopardize someone's or something's capacity to perform or function effectively. Example: "The new regulations are threatening the ability of small businesses to compete in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

If we were to stick to this approach, it would be a recipe for disaster, threatening the ability of our children's children to feed themselves.

The Guardian

The Energy Department, which approved the funding, said China's subsidies to its solar industry were threatening the ability of Solyndra and other American manufacturers to compete.

The New York Times

MINNEAPOLIS (The Borowitz Report) — Scientists have discovered a powerful new strain of fact-resistant humans who are threatening the ability of Earth to sustain life, a sobering new study reports.

The New Yorker

The swift deterioration in the job market resonated as a warning sign that troubles once confined to real estate and construction are spilling into the broader economy, threatening the ability of American consumers to keep spending with customary abandon.

The New York Times

MINNEAPOLIS (The Borowitz Report) – Scientists have discovered a powerful new strain of fact-resistant humans who are threatening the ability of Earth to sustain life, a sobering new study reports.

The New Yorker

Whether this Muhammad was an Atta sympathizer or not, the fact remains that one or two gunmen were able to paralyze the capital of the most powerful nation in the world for three weeks, to the point of threatening the ability of citizens to carry out the most fundamental rite of democracy, freely walking into polling places on Election Day.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

These alarming developments threaten the ability of British journalists to do their jobs effectively.

The Guardian

But fiscal austerity has threatened the ability of both to live up to those grandiose ambitions.

The Economist

"This could threaten the ability of the E.U. to meet increasingly ambitious emission reduction targets," the report's authors said.

The New York Times

But Britain's membership of the European Union threatens the ability of a democratically elected government to do any of this.

Independent

In the UK, rising inflation now threatens the ability of the Bank of England to use monetary policy to counteract the deflationary effects of the government's spending cuts.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "threatening the ability", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the threat and what specific ability is being jeopardized. Specificity enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "threatening the ability" in overly general statements. Instead of saying "technology is threatening the ability of humans", specify which technologies and what specific human abilities are at risk, such as "AI-driven automation is threatening the ability of workers to find stable employment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "threatening the ability" functions as a modifier, specifically describing something that poses a risk to or diminishes a particular capacity or skill. Ludwig examples show various scenarios where factors like climate change, policy changes, or competition impact the capability to perform certain actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "threatening the ability" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express concern about a potential or ongoing decline in capacity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science and Formal & Business settings. When using the phrase, be specific about the threatening factor and the ability at risk to enhance clarity. Formal alternatives include "compromising the competence" or "jeopardizing the capability". Overall, the phrase effectively communicates a risk to performance and highlights potential negative consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undermining the capacity

Emphasizes a gradual weakening of ability, rather than a direct threat.

jeopardizing the capability

Highlights the risk involved, suggesting potential for serious harm to ability.

endangering the potential

Focuses on the risk to future possibilities, not just current ability.

compromising the competence

Suggests a reduction in effectiveness or skill level.

impairing the aptitude

Implies a diminishment of natural talent or learned skill.

weakening the power

Focuses on a reduction of strength or influence.

eroding the skill

Suggests a gradual decline in expertise through neglect or disuse.

diminishing the proficiency

Highlights a decrease in expertise.

reducing the effectiveness

Emphasizes a loss in the degree to which something is successful in producing a desired result.

hampering the wherewithal

Focuses on impeding the necessary means or resources.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "threatening the ability" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "undermining the capacity", "jeopardizing the capability", or "compromising the competence", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What are some concrete examples of something "threatening the ability" of an organization?

Examples include "a lack of funding is threatening the ability of the organization to provide essential services", "increased competition is threatening the ability of the company to maintain market share", or "cyberattacks are threatening the ability of the hospital to protect patient data".

Which is more appropriate, "threatening the ability to" or "threatening the ability of"?

Both "threatening the ability to" and "threatening the ability of" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different usages. "Threatening the ability to [verb]" is used to describe an action, while "threatening the ability of [noun]" is used to describe a quality of something.

How does "threatening the ability" differ from "impairing the ability"?

"Threatening the ability" suggests a potential or future harm to a capability, while "impairing the aptitude" implies an existing reduction or weakening of that capability. The former is prospective, the latter is present.