The ability to fly vs The abilities to fly

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. 'The ability to fly' refers to the general capacity or skill to fly, while 'the abilities to fly' suggests multiple specific skills related to flying. The choice between them depends on whether you want to emphasize a singular general ability or multiple specific abilities.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 1159 views

The ability to fly

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to refer to the general capacity or skill to fly.

Examples:

He demonstrated the ability to fly by soaring through the sky.
Not everyone has the ability to fly like birds.
The superhero's ability to fly saved the day.

Show examples from the web [+]

The ability to fly is only passed from father to son.
That cormorant lost the ability to fly.
Now we knowing some beetles, the ability to fly has been lost.
'We are being told that 'these metal men are known as Cybermen, but 'unlike the accounts we have on file, they now have the ability to fly.
You're supposed to have the ability to fly this thing.
You have the ability to fly at the speed of light, yet you use a beat-up cab?
When the boy's eyes lit up watching that beetle, as black as himself, but having the ability to fly,

Alternatives:

the capacity to fly
the skill to fly
the power to fly
the capability to fly
the potential to fly

The abilities to fly

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to refer to multiple specific skills related to flying.

Examples:

Pilots need various abilities to fly different types of aircraft.
The team members each have unique abilities to fly in formation.
Training programs focus on developing the abilities to fly safely.

Show examples from the web [+]

The ability to fly is only passed from father to son.
That cormorant lost the ability to fly.
Now we knowing some beetles, the ability to fly has been lost.
You're supposed to have the ability to fly this thing.
'We are being told that 'these metal men are known as Cybermen, but 'unlike the accounts we have on file, they now have the ability to fly.
You have the ability to fly at the speed of light, yet you use a beat-up cab?
When the boy's eyes lit up watching that beetle, as black as himself, but having the ability to fly,
...or the ability to make objects fly.
All at once, I lost the woman I loved and my ability to fly.
Ability to fly day and night.
Indeed, it might be the case that the future of the pterosaurs was assured, for some time at least, not by their ability to fly, but their ability to walk.
You doubt our ability to fly this ship?
Domestic turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) retain many of the characteristics of wild birds but there are some fundamental differences, for example domestic turkeys are unable to fly but have retained the ability to run quickly, and jump and glide, especially at younger ages.
The ability to travel between dimensions.
The ability to sell medicinal alcohol.
Joshua has the ability to erase memories.
Personal power means the ability to act the ability to take action.
The seventh point, which I mention with a certain pleasure, concerns the ability to ban and detain certain ships - banning the most dangerous ships, particularly those that fly the flags of blacklisted flag states.
That's where the ability to engineer microbes, the ability to engineer tissues, and the ability to engineer robots begin to lead to a reboot.
The ability to see and the ability to take action.

Alternatives:

the skills to fly
the capacities to fly
the powers to fly
the capabilities to fly
the potentials to fly

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The ability to fly vs The abilities to fly