Cool MateAbility vs Powers
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Ability
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Powers
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Ability | Powers | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈbɪləti/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈbɪləti/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈpaʊəz//🇺🇸 //ˈpaʊərz// |
| Meaning | The skill to do something. | The ability to do something or control something. |
| Example | She has the ability to learn new languages quickly. | The government has the powers to implement new laws. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | exceptional, extraordinary, great, level, have, possess, retain, ability in, to the best of your ability, high, limited, low, assess, measure, test, level, range, a range of ability, a range of abilities | abuse powers, exercise powers, transfer powers |
| Antonyms | inability, ineptness | weakness, impotence |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'capability' — 'ability' refers to a skill, while 'capability' refers to the potential to develop a skill., Using 'ability' without a verb or context can make sentences unclear., Incorrectly pluralizing as 'abilities' when referring to a single skill. | Confused with 'power' as a singular form., Misused in phrases without proper context., Incorrectly used with plural verbs. |
| Usage notes | Use 'ability' in contexts where referring to someone's skills or talents. Avoid it in very casual conversations where simpler words like 'skill' may be more appropriate. | Used in various contexts including politics, science, and personal abilities. Not usually used in casual conversation. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Ability vs Powers
What's the difference between Ability and Powers?
Ability: The skill to do something. Powers: The ability to do something or control something.
Can you show an example of each?
Ability: She has the ability to learn new languages quickly. Powers: The government has the powers to implement new laws.
Can I use Ability and Powers interchangeably?
Not always. Ability and Powers are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.