VOA名师答疑2023--Ability or Capability?

Ability or Capability¹?

Hi there! This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question about the difference between the words "ability" and "capability."

Question:

Hello VOA Ask a Teacher,

I am Lyla from China. I am confused about "ability" and "capability." I looked them up in the dictionary, but I still can't tell them apart.

Can you explain the difference?

Thanks, and best regards,

Lyla

Answer

Thanks for your question, Lyla. The words are so similar that their use can even trouble native English speakers! Generally, ability describes special skills and qualities now in use. "Capability" speaks more to the possible power or use of those skills and qualities.

Let's take a closer look at each.

Ability

"Ability" is a noun that comes from the adjective "able." If you are "able," you can do something. You can carry out an action. "Ability" means a quality, skill, or aptitude² that you have that makes it possible for you to do something. Compare these sentences:

I have the ability to speak Russian and English.

Courtney's disabilities are the result of a car accident.

Henry's cooking abilities increased over years of practice in his own home.

Let's move onto "capability."

Capability

"Capability" is the quality or state of being capable. "To be capable" means having qualities or skills to successfully perform some future action. Your "capability" depends more on the situation, environment, or your desire to do something rather than just your ability to do it.

He has the capability of lifting very heavy weights, but he injured himself last year, so he chooses to lift light weights while he recovers.

"Capability" also can mean a skill set that can be further developed.

The new employees have strong capabilities³ in marketing⁴. They just need more experience in the business world.

Finally, "capability" is the possibility to be affected⁵ by use or treatment.

The movie Oppenheimer is about the development of the United States' nuclear capabilities and eventual⁶ use of those weapons.

Critics question the administration's capability to compromise on a solution.

Please let us know if these explanations and examples have helped you, Lyla.

Do you have a question about American English? Send us an email at [email protected].

And that's Ask a Teacher.

Words in This Story

confused –adj. lost or unsure of something

aptitude — n. the ability to learn something

1 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。

2 aptitude   

n.(学习方面的)才能，资质，天资

参考例句：

• That student has an aptitude for mathematics.那个学生有数学方面的天赋。
• As a child,he showed an aptitude for the piano.在孩提时代，他显露出对于钢琴的天赋。

3 capabilities   

n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力

参考例句：

• He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities. 他有点自大，自视甚高。 来自辞典例句
• Some programmers use tabs to break complex product capabilities into smaller chunks. 一些程序员认为，标签可以将复杂的功能分为每个窗格一组简单的功能。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

4 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。

5 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

6 eventual   

adj.最后的，结局的，最终的

参考例句：

• Several schools face eventual closure.几所学校面临最终关闭。
• Both parties expressed optimism about an eventual solution.双方对问题的最终解决都表示乐观。