一、ability指“智力,技能”时用作可数名词,且常用于复数形式。ability也可指“聪明,智慧”,这时用作不可数名词。单独用ability或abilities时除带后置修饰语或有上下文提示者外,一般都指智力,如:
1、Almost everyone has some musical ability.
几乎人人都有一些音乐才能。
2、He was a man of extraordinary abilities.
他才干卓著。
二、表示“在某方面有能力”时ability可接介词in, at, for等;表示“做某事的能力”时可接动词不定式,也可接“in+动名词”,但不接“of+动名词”。表示“有能力的”,可说ability of,如:
1、The system has the ability to run more than one program at the same time.
该系统能够同时运行一个以上的程序。
2、Everyone has the right to good medical care regardless of their ability to pay.
无论支付能力如何,每个人都有权得到良好的医疗。
三、ability to do it前通常有限定词,即可以说an ability to do it,也可以说the ability to do it,还可以说sb's ability to do it。注意这种结构中的动词不定式不可用于被动语态,如:
An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
有应用数学,科学和工程知识的能力。
用作名词 (n.)
to the best of one's ability
尽自己最大努力