1. 表示抽象意義的“能力”,為不可數(shù)名詞。如:
He is a man of ability. 他是位有能力的人。
He is behind the others in ability. 他在能力上比別人差。
若表示不同種類的能力,則可以用復數(shù)。如:
listening, speaking, reading and writing abilities 聽說讀寫能力
Men and women have similar abilities and needs. 男人和女人的能力和需要是相似的。
側(cè)重指智慧、天資、天分等方面的意義時,可數(shù)或不可數(shù)均可能,有時還可用復數(shù)形式。如:
The girl has a great musical ability 這女孩很有音樂天才。
Everyone admired his abilities. 大家都敬佩他的才能。
2. 表示有能力做某事或具有做某事的能力等,其后通常要接不定式。如:
He has the ability to speak English fluently. 他能流利地說英語。
The ability to be clearly heard is extremely important for newsreaders. 聲音宏亮清晰對新聞廣播員來說極為重要。
按英語習慣,ability一般不接of doing sth,但有時可接in doing sth。如:
She has great ability in teaching English 她很有教英語的能力。
二、able的用法
1. 表示“有能力的”“能干的”,可用作表語或定語。如:
He is an able manager. 他是位有能力的經(jīng)理。
He is old but still able. 他雖年老,但仍有很能干。
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2. 通常用于 be able to do sth結(jié)構(gòu),其意為“能做某事”“會做某事”。如:
He is able to speak English. 他會說英語。
Everyone here is able to type. 這兒的每一個人都會打字。
He will be able to get about in a week or two. 再過一兩個星期左右他就能走動了。
He studied hard and was able to pass his examinations. 他學習很努力,所以考試及了格。
be able to 不僅有多種時態(tài)形式(通常不用于進行時或與 be going to 連用),而且還可以與某些情態(tài)動詞連用(通常不與 can 連用),甚至還可以有非謂語形式。如:
Since his accident he hasn’t been able to leave the house. 自出事之后,他一直未能離開家。
You might be able to persuade him. 你也許能夠說服他。
I hope to be able to do the work. 我希望能干得了這項工作。
I regret not being able to help her. 我很遺憾未能幫助她。
■摘自《中學英語高頻詞詳解詞典》■