Thursday, November 26, 2020

ability to, capable of


The word able suggests the skill or physical ability of an animate being. Ability means the power to do something, mental or physical (ability to run an asylum). Actual skill, either mental or physical; native or acquired.

Using the word able with an inanimate subject sounds strange. Try to use can instead.

Capability comes from capable + ability.
Capability to do a task is the potential to do it. Whether you are able to do the task at the moment or not, is different, but you have the capability or the potential to do it sometime.

Able is followed by an infinitive; capable is followed by of and the gerund.
  • Sam had the ability to explain things clearly and concisely.
  • Man's ability to talk makes him unlike any other animal.
  • Your ability to heal makes you what we'd call a Natural, a human with extraordinary capabilities.
  • The novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19 has an ability to cut through the heart muscle in a way that is seen in no other disease.
  • A force ten wind is capable of blowing the roofs off houses.
  • These new bullets are capable of inflicting massive injuries.
  • Sarah wouldn't hurt anyone - she's simply not capable of it.
  • We are all fully capable of managing that responsibility
  • Currently, I will be able to take up only two classes, though I think I am capable of taking up upto 5 classes per day.

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