In this world of competition, before getting any job or applying for any project, we must prove our Ability and Capacity.
These are the essential qualities an employer or a boss looks for in their employee. These two quality proves how well we can do that particular job or work.
Key Takeaways
- Ability refers to the possession of a skill or talent, while capacity refers to the ability to hold or contain something.
- Ability is more closely related to the concept of competence, while capacity is more closely related to the concept of volume.
- Someone can have the ability to do something but not the capacity, or vice versa.
Ability vs Capacity
Ability refers to the inherent skill or talent that someone possesses to perform a particular task. Capacity refers to the intrinsic skill or talent to perform a specific task. Ability is the current skill, while Capacity refers to the potential to develop new skills.
Ability refers to our quality to perform a task physically or mentally, and it can also refer to our knowledge, competence, or talent.
It’s also the trait that qualifies us for a specific task or job; it’s the quality that makes us powerful and self-assured. Ability can be divided into two parts:
i) Intellectual Ability, which is related to our mental power and intelligence
ii) Physical Ability is related to physical fitness and body structure.
Capacity is described as the Ability to do something or how much it can accommodate; it can also be referred to as the maximum amount that something can contain.
Capacity is to perform or produce, the amount that can be contained, and the maximum production possible.
We all have some other Capacity in us, and we go through extreme conditions in our lives, that will be the point when we will understand our actual Capacity.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Ability | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | What a person can do | Described as the ability to do something |
| Definition | Defined as the skill needed to do something | It is used for a human being |
| Related to | Skill and intelligence | Power |
| Usage | It is mainly used for the quantity | Described as the Ability to do something |
| Example | He has the capacity to handle this job. | He can handle this job. |
What is Ability?
Ability is the quality or state of being able, the Capacity to do or of doing something or having the necessary power. Ability is the unique power of the mind that helps us make important decisions that make us intelligent and successful.
The skill or competence in doing something is our Ability to prove that we are fit for a particular work; our Ability makes us more popular and adds up to our qualities. Consider the following examples to understand better:
a) This phone can have its software upgraded wirelessly.
b) They are persons of Ability who will go far in life.
c) She has an uncanny ability to defuse conflicts.
The Ability to accomplish a task, whether physical, mental, linguistic or in any other sector, is defined as the competence or competency to do so. Ability is inherited, as a person’s genetic composition determines it.
For example, some people excel at physical sports, while others have a strong sense of rhythm and love dance.
Some people are born with the capacity to handle languages, allowing them to acquire them fast and readily. Others are at ease when performing calculations, allowing them to excel in math.
Ability is a quality that can be present or absent. If one has the Ability, it is easier to assist a person in mastering a task in a relevant area by passing on knowledge and the most recent information.
What is Capacity?
Capacity is described as a person’s or object’s maximum scientific capabilities. For example, when discussing the Capacity of a cylindrical glass, we refer to the most significant amount of fluid it can hold.
In human terms, a person may have the reflexes, speed, and stamina to be a boxer, but his Capacity is how long he can resist his opponent’s punches.
A sprinter and a marathon runner are pretty different athletes with distinct abilities and capacities. A sprinter can blast out of the blocks due to muscle power.
As a result, if an athlete possesses this skill, he can excel as a sprinter. In contrast, a long-distance runner has far more incredible stamina and endurance, distinct qualities.
The Capacity of a boxer is his Ability to withstand his opponent’s punches for the duration of a fight. Consider the following examples to understand better:
a) The human brain’s Capacity to recognize each detail of speech astounds me.
b) The auditorium has a capacity of 200 people.
c) He can become a doctor.
Even though sometimes human beings exceed their average threshold in times of adversity to save their lives, in general, Capacity remains the upper limit of what they can stand up to.
In most cases, Capacity refers to either/or situations. For example, my car can either go 200 miles per hour or not.
There is no such thing as a degree or a progression. It either has or does not have the Capacity.
Main Differences Between Ability and Capacity
1. Ability refers to skills that can be graded. In most cases, Capability refers to either/or options in a hypothetical situation.
2. Ability is something that one is born with. Capacity, on the other hand, is a result of effort.
3. Ability refers to mental or physical, whereas Capacity refers to Ability or power.
4. Ability is the current quality of an individual, whereas Capacity is the potential that a human can achieve in the future.
5. Ability is the potential of an individual to do things at their best. In contrast, Capacity, on the other hand, is the maximum amount of work that a person or machine can do without sacrificing quality.
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/tea.3660200204
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF03172772
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
I believe the author of this article has done a fantastic job explaining the differences between the two terms, ability, and capacity. It is clear, well-structured, and informative.
Well written article. The subject covered is confusing, but this article presents a clear distinction, with carefully detailed definitions.
I found the article very educational, especially the part about the comparison table. It really helped me understand the differences.
I couldn’t agree more. This article does a great job explaining the differences between these two, often confusing, terms.
This article didn’t make much sense, I would like to know where the author got their information? It seems unclear and unreliable.
I think this article is misleading in the difference between these two terms. It seems that the article itself is not able to understand
This article provides a clear understanding of ‘ability’ and ‘capacity’, yet it seems too formal. It could have been made more engaging by including some real-life examples to emphasize the points.
I disagree. I found the formality of the article refreshing. It maintains a high level of credibility.
Great article. It clearly distinguishes and explains the differences between ‘Ability’ and ‘Capacity’. I appreciate the contrast examples given to explain the principles.