Guide 203 / 221 3 alternatives 2-minute read
Better ways to say “Has the ability to”
Five words for "can."
i · Why avoid itTwo lines, no filler
"Can" carries the same meaning in one syllable. "Has the ability to" hides the verb behind a noun ("ability") — a textbook case of nominalisation, the bureaucratic prose tic.
ii · Before & afterDrop-in demo
Before
The system has the ability to scale.
After
The system can scale.
iii · The alternatives3 ways out
- 01Can neutral
best default
The system can scale.
- 02Is able to neutral
when "can" is overused
The system is able to scale.
- 03Could neutral
hypothetical
The system could scale to 10x.
iv · Brew tipKeep this one
If "can" works, use "can."