ability

abilitynoun

American /əˈbɪl.ə.ti/ British /əˈbɪl.ə.ti/

plural abilities

very commondefining vocabulary

power to do somethingthe power or skill needed to do something
uncountable [U]
- She has the ability to solve problems quickly.
- Reading ability varies widely among young children.
- He lost the ability to walk after the accident.
- Musical ability often runs in families.
Collocations
adjective + noun natural ability, outstanding ability
verb + noun have the ability, show ability
a skilla particular skill or talent that someone has
countable [C] usually plural [usu pl]
- The test measures a range of abilities.
- Everyone has different abilities.
- The school tries to develop each student's abilities.
Collocations
adjective + noun special abilities, physical abilities

Word family

able

Common mistakes

the ability of speaking three languages the ability to speak three languages
Ability is followed by to and the base form of a verb, not of and the -ing form.

For translators

Grammar trap Ability is usually followed by to plus the base form of a verb (the ability to do something); a common learner mistake is of plus the -ing form, which is wrong: not the ability of doing something.

abilitynoun

Collocations

Collocations

Word family

Common mistakes

For translators