whose ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whose ability" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate possession or ownership of an ability. For example, "The student, whose ability in math is remarkable, was accepted to the specialized program."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Take aircraft carriers, whose ability to project force is fundamental to America's global military strategy.

The Economist

He told me: 'The game is being played by people whose ability is about equal.

The New York Times - Sports

Enter the Beatles, whose ability to mint money with their music is unquestioned.

The New York Times

Or is it the adults in the front seat, whose ability — never strong — to voluntarily remain unconnected is now disappearing?

The New York Times - Tech

But it was another blow to the Air Force, whose ability to manage huge weapons-buying programs has been questioned.

The New York Times

One theory is that infants, whose ability to see is incomplete, work hard to soak in visual information.

The New York Times - Health

That sentence was written by someone whose ability to write colloquial English was corrupted by a top-notch legal education.

The New York Times - Books

Perhaps none more so than Zico, whose ability has impressed his new charges at their training base in Turkey.

The Guardian - Sport

But for me, there's one author whose ability to capture the state and texture of water surpasses all others.

The Guardian - Books

I have sympathy for Casey Martin, the professional golfer whose ability to walk is impaired by a circulatory disorder.

The New York Times

My personal favorite is about Uncle Red, whose ability to wrestle hogs to the ground earned accolades in three counties.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "whose ability", ensure that the noun it modifies is clearly defined and that the connection between the person or thing and their ability is evident to the reader.

Common error

Avoid confusing "whose ability" with "who's ability". "Whose" indicates possession, while "who's" is a contraction of "who is". For instance, use "the athlete whose ability is unmatched" instead of the incorrect "the athlete who's ability is unmatched".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whose ability" functions as a determiner in a relative clause, modifying a noun to specify that the noun possesses a particular capability. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whose ability" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for attributing a specific skill or capacity, as validated by Ludwig. It's appropriate for various contexts, though most commonly found in News & Media. When writing, remember to differentiate it from the contraction "who's". By using related alternatives like "possessing the capacity for" or "having the skill to", you can fine-tune the meaning to fit your precise context. Ludwig confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having the skill to

Directly states the possession of a specific skill.

capable of

A shorter, more general way of expressing the ability to do something.

with the aptitude for

Highlights a natural talent or inclination towards a particular skill.

skilled at

Focuses on expertise in a particular activity or area.

proficient in

Emphasizes a well-developed skill achieved through practice and learning.

possessing the capacity for

Emphasizes the inherent potential or power to do something, rather than the demonstrated skill.

showing competence in

Indicates a satisfactory level of skill or knowledge in a particular area.

mastery of

Highlights a high level of proficiency and control.

demonstrating a talent in

Focuses on the visible display of a specific skill or gift.

endowed with the gift of

Suggests a natural, innate talent.

FAQs

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

Use "whose ability" to show possession of a particular skill or capacity. For example, "The artist, whose ability to capture light is remarkable, has won numerous awards."

What are some alternatives to "whose ability"?

You can use alternatives such as "possessing the capacity for", "with the aptitude for", or "having the skill to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "whose ability" or should I use "who's ability"?

"Whose ability" is correct. "Who's ability" is a common error because "who's" is a contraction of "who is" or "who has", and doesn't show possession. Always use "whose" to indicate ownership or association.

What's the difference between "whose ability" and "whose abilities"?

"Whose ability" refers to a singular, specific skill or capacity. "Whose abilities" refers to multiple skills or capacities that someone possesses.