ability

ability — 名詞

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

1.名詞B1
釋義

能力；本領

做某件事所需的身體或心智本事

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.

Una 有能力一口氣游過整座湖。

ability + to-infinitive shows what someone can do

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

消防隊長稱讚那隻狗在雪地裡找到走失孩童的本領。

the X's ability to do Y

常見搭配
  • lose the ability to
  • regain the ability to
  • have the ability to
  • the ability to walk / read / drive
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

才能；程度

在某方面展現的本事或水準

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.

陳老師每堂課前都會依閱讀程度將孩子分組。

by + ability (level)

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

新教練對 Wairimu 在籃球場上的能力印象深刻。

ability + in / on / at + area

常見搭配
  • mixed ability
  • high / low ability
  • natural ability
  • musical / athletic / artistic ability
  • of all abilities
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'.
慣用語

to the best of one's ability

idiom

as well as someone is able to do it, even if the result is not perfect.

盡某人最大努力；盡力而為

The young lawyer promised to defend her client to the best of her ability.

Just answer the questions to the best of your ability and try not to worry.

ability — 字尾

同根字

常見搭配

名詞搭配

  • reading ability
  • language ability
  • leadership ability
  • problem-solving ability

副詞搭配

常用片語

介系詞搭配

  • in (a field)
  • at (a task)
  • of (a person)
  • to (do something)