Have you ever wondered what was the difference between the words capability and ability in the English language? Or maybe just want to learn more about the words to see if you are using them correctly. This article will give you all the information that you might want on how to use both words.

What Is the Definition of the Word Capability vs. the Word Ability?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of capability is:

the quality of being capable; capacity; ability:

His capability was unquestionable.

the ability to undergo or be affected by a given treatment or action:

The capability of glass in resisting heat.

Usually capabilities. qualities, abilities, features, etc., that can be used or developed; potential:

Though dilapidated, the house has great capabilities.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of ability is:

power, capacity, or know how to do or act physically, mentally, legally, morally, financially, etc.

the possession of the means, whether physical or mental, to do something; a competitive advantage according to benchmarking

competencies in an activity or occupation because of one’s skill, training, or other qualification:

The ability to sing well.

abilities, special skills or aptitudes, talents of people:

In other words, composing music is beyond his abilities.

What Is the Difference Between Capability and Ability?

Both words are used in the same contexts and are synonyms. There are some subtle differences between the two words and you should be well informed about these differences so you use the one you want to in order to convey the correct message.

The word ability refers to a practical ability that you are able to do a task or action right now. The capability to do something means that you are able to do something, perhaps right now or in the future. You might not be able to run a marathon right now but if you’re training you can say that you have the capability to run a marathon and you are working towards being able to run one.

Examples of the Words in Context

Ability

The decision cannot be based on traditional parameters of willingness or ability to pay.

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In the mid-1970s, King’s supervisors told him to hire more women to fill quotas, though they were still skeptical of his ability to retain those women, assuming they’d either quit or be fired soon after starting work.

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The ability to on-board a senior employee remotely as well as the agency team working remotely has DeMuth warming up to remote hiring.

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One effective option is simply shutting off their worst-performing exchanges, particularly if they aren’t critical to the advertiser’s ability to scale.

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Creating a mentorship program is unlikely to inhibit anyone’s ability to be creative, she added.

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That article noted that the F-35 does not currently have the ability to down-link live video to ground troops,.

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Speech, in this case, is our ability to spend money on a goofy entertainment.

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Nor does the jet have the ability to capture high-definition video, utilize an infra-red pointer.

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Police, their representatives and supporters tell us, ensure our freedom of speech through our ability to protest.

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Consumers are also gaining the ability to take the designs into their own hands as 3D printing becomes more accessible.

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Moreover, the ability to perform miracles is but a function of spirituality.

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Pride in what has been done, in what may be done, in the ability to reach the very highest point that may be reached.

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It is of vital importance to give him absolute confidence in his ability to hit his man.

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Idiots are found with practically zero ability in rote memory.

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In testing the function of these bows and their ability to shoot, a bamboo flight arrow made by Ishi was used as the standard.

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Capability

Should capability delivery experience additional changes, this estimate will be revised appropriately.

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As for the search, which will soon resume, Soelisto confessed that “the capability of our equipment is not optimum.”

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Nor are there any current plans to add that capability to the F-35.

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As Kurdish leaders acknowledge, liberating Mosul is beyond the capability of the peshmerga and government forces will be needed.

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Capability vs Ability: What’s The Difference?

Your writing, at its best

What Is the Definition of the Word Capability vs. the Word Ability?

What Is the Difference Between Capability and Ability?

Synonyms of Capability and Ability

Examples of the Words in Context

Summary

Sources:

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