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general::
noun skill/power to do sth ADJ. exceptional, extraordinary, great, outstanding, remarkable, uncanny | inherent, innate, natural discovering the natural abilities of each child | proven | academic, acting, artistic, athletic, creative, intellectual, linguistic, mathematical, musical, reading, technical | mental, physical VERB + ABILITY have | demonstrate, show Both players demonstrated their ability to hit the ball hard. | acquire, develop | lack | lose I seem to have lost my ability to attract clients. | appreciate, recognize Fox's abilities were soon recognized. PHRASES to the best of your ability We will keep you informed to the best of our ability. speed with which sb learns ADJ. high The school does nothing for children of high ability. | limited, low | average, mixed It is much more difficult to teach a mixed-ability class. VERB + ABILITY assess, test PHRASES a level of ability There was a high level of ability among the school leavers. | a range of ability/abilities I taught a wide range of abilities.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
3
general::
ability
adjectives
high/low/average ability
• a group of low ability pupils • Many of these students are of above average ability. • Children of high ability demand more absorbing tasks.
great/considerable ability
• He was a young man of great ability. • These drawings required considerable ability on the part of the artist.
remarkable/outstanding/exceptional ability
• a writer of remarkable ability • The company aims to select people of outstanding ability. • his exceptional ability as a swimmer
mixed ability
(= at different levels )
• a mixed ability class
uncanny ability
(= an unusual ability that is difficult to explain )
• He has an uncanny ability for spotting investment opportunities.
natural ability
( also innate ability formal ) (= an ability that you are born with )
• He didn't have the natural ability of his brother. • Babies have an innate ability to do simple maths.
physical/athletic ability
• He has considerable athletic ability.
artistic/creative ability
• You do not need to have any artistic ability.
musical ability
• Tim showed musical ability at an early age.
acting ability
• Her acting abilities were obvious straightaway.
mental ability
• The exercises are supposed to help you improve your mental ability.
intellectual/academic ability
• No one doubts his intellectual abilities. • A degree is evidence of your academic ability in a particular subject area.
verbal/linguistic ability
(= language skills )
• The test is intended to measure the children's linguistic ability.
mathematical ability
• These students have a higher level of mathematical ability.
proven ability
(= that you have proved through your achievements )
• Companies often value the proven ability and reliability of older employees.
verbs
have the ability to do something
( also possess the ability to do something formal )
• She has the ability to make people feel relaxed.
show/demonstrate the ability to do something
• a chance for candidates to demonstrate their abilities
lack the ability to do something
• As a young man, he lacked the ability to say no.
phrases
a level of ability/ability level
• The children were of the same age and ability level.
a range of ability/ability range
• There is a wide range of ability within the class. • Disruptive behaviour is more prominent in the lower ability range.
a test of ability/an ability test
• Examinations are not always a good test of ability. • The class was given a verbal ability test.
an ability group
(= a group that students are taught in, based on their level of ability )
• Children are divided into different ability groups.
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