Ability or Capability?
2023-12-09
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1Hi there! This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question about the difference between the words "ability" and "capability."
2Hello VOA Ask a Teacher,
3I am Lyla from China.
4I am confused about "ability" and "capability."
5I looked them up in the dictionary, but I still can't tell them apart.
6Can you explain the difference?
7Thanks, and best regards,
8Lyla
9Thanks for your question, Lyla.
10The words are so similar that their use can even trouble native English speakers! Generally, ability describes special skills and qualities now in use.
11"Capability" speaks more to the possible power or use of those skills and qualities.
12Let's take a closer look at each.
13"Ability" is a noun that comes from the adjective "able."
14If you are "able," you can do something.
15You can carry out an action.
16"Ability" means a quality, skill, or aptitude that you have that makes it possible for you to do something. Compare these sentences:
17I have the ability to speak Russian and English.
18Courtney's disabilities are the result of a car accident.
19Henry's cooking abilities increased over years of practice in his own home.
20Let's move onto "capability."
21"Capability" is the quality or state of being capable.
22"To be capable" means having qualities or skills to successfully perform some future action.
23Your "capability" depends more on the situation, environment, or your desire to do something rather than just your ability to do it.
24He has the capability of lifting very heavy weights, but he injured himself last year, so he chooses to lift light weights while he recovers.
25"Capability" also can mean a skill set that can be further developed.
26The new employees have strong capabilities in marketing.
27They just need more experience in the business world.
28Finally, "capability" is the possibility to be affected by use or treatment.
29The movie Oppenheimer is about the development of the United States' nuclear capabilities and eventual use of those weapons.
30Critics question the administration's capability to compromise on a solution.
31Please let us know if these explanations and examples have helped you, Lyla.
32Do you have a question about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com.
33And that's Ask a Teacher.
34I'm Faith Pirlo.
1Hi there! This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question about the difference between the words "ability" and "capability." 2Question: 3Hello VOA Ask a Teacher, 4I 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. 5Can you explain the difference? 6Thanks, and best regards, 7Lyla 8Answer 9Thanks 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. 10Let's take a closer look at each. 11Ability 12"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 aptitude that you have that makes it possible for you to do something. Compare these sentences: 13I have the ability to speak Russian and English. 14Courtney's disabilities are the result of a car accident. 15Henry's cooking abilities increased over years of practice in his own home. 16Let's move onto "capability." 17Capability 18"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. 19He has the capability of lifting very heavy weights, but he injured himself last year, so he chooses to lift light weights while he recovers. 20"Capability" also can mean a skill set that can be further developed. 21The new employees have strong capabilities in marketing. They just need more experience in the business world. 22Finally, "capability" is the possibility to be affected by use or treatment. 23The movie Oppenheimer is about the development of the United States' nuclear capabilities and eventual use of those weapons. 24Critics question the administration's capability to compromise on a solution. 25Please let us know if these explanations and examples have helped you, Lyla. 26Do you have a question about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com. 27And that's Ask a Teacher. 28I'm Faith Pirlo. 29Faith Pirlo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. 30_________________________________________________ 31Words in This Story 32confused -adj. lost or unsure of something 33aptitude - n. the ability to learn something 34What do you think of this story? We want to hear from you. Write to us at learningenglish@voanews.com or leave us a comment below. 35We want to hear from you. 36Our comment policy is here.