ability

ability — noun

1. the fact that someone or something can perform a task — having the body, mind, k

1.名詞B1
釋義

the fact that someone or something can perform a task — having the body, mind, knowledge, or resources that the task requires.

例句

Una has the ability to swim across the lake without stopping.

ability + to-infinitive shows what someone can do

The fire chief praised the dog's ability to find missing children in the snow.

the X's ability to do Y

同義詞
  • capacity

    more formal; often used for groups, machines, or limits.

  • capability

    stresses what something is built or trained to do.

  • power

    stronger; suggests authority or force, not just possibility.

反義詞
  • inability

    direct opposite; 'his inability to swim'.

文法句型

ability + to-infinitive

the ability to do something

用法筆記

Almost always followed by 'to' + verb when naming the action. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense answers 'can X do Y?' (yes or no), while sense 2 answers 'how good is X at it?'.

常見錯誤

❌She has the ability of swimming.
✅She has the ability to swim.
💡use 'to' + verb, not 'of' + -ing.
❌He has ability to drive a truck.
✅He has the ability to drive a truck.
💡when followed by a to-infinitive, normally use 'the ability'.

2. how good a person is at something — the level of skill, talent, or intelligence

2.名詞B1
釋義

how good a person is at something — the level of skill, talent, or intelligence they show, especially when compared with others.

例句

Mr. Chen groups the children by reading ability before each lesson.

by + ability (level)

The new coach was impressed by Wairimu's ability on the basketball court.

ability + in / on / at + area

同義詞
  • talent

    natural skill, often something a person was born with.

  • skill

    usually learned through practice rather than inborn.

  • aptitude

    formal; a natural gift for learning a particular subject.

文法句型

of high / great / mixed ability

abilities in [field]

用法筆記

Often appears in fixed phrases describing groups: 'mixed ability', 'high ability', 'of all abilities'. Plural 'abilities' is common when listing more than one skill area. Distinguish from sense 1 (guide word POWER TO DO): sense 1 asks whether the action is possible at all; this sense rates how well it is done.

常見錯誤

❌She has a good ability in math.
✅She has good ability in math.' or 'She is good at math.
💡drop 'a' when describing a level of skill.
❌a student of strong ability
✅a student of high ability
💡use 'high / great / mixed ability', not 'strong'.

ability — suffix