ability既可作可数名词，也可作不可数名词。当表示可数名词时，意思为“才艺”、“才干”，其复数形式为abilities；当表示不可数名词时，意思为“能力”、“本领”，注重强调某人的能力。

ability作为名词，既可作可数名词，又可作不可数名词，意为能力;才能;本领;才智。

例句：What criteria are used for assessing a student's ability?

用什么标准来评定一个学生的能力？

His outstanding ability earned him a place on the team.

他非凡的能力为他在队中赢得了一席之地。

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。

These results are a further proof of his outstanding ability.

这些成果进一步证明了他的杰出才干。

She has every confidence in her students' abilities.

她完全相信她学生的能力。

His linguistic ability served him well in his chosen profession.

他的语言能力对他所选择的职业大有帮助。

A gentle form of exercise will increase your ability to relax.

和缓的运动锻炼会提高自我放松的能力。

Her abilities carried her to the top of her profession.

她的才能使她在本行业中出类拔萃。

I have serious reservations about his ability to do the job.

我非常怀疑他有没有能力胜任这项工作。

They earn salaries out of all proportion to their ability.

他们挣的工资与其能力不相称。

Nick took her comment as a slight on his abilities as a manager.

尼克认为她的话是藐视他当经理的能力。

He has the ability to bring out the best in others.

他能做到扬人之长。

The public never had faith in his ability to handle the job

公众从来不相信他有能力胜任这一职位。

Parents must make use of their natural ability to empathize.

父母必须发挥其天性，设身处地从子女的角度感受。