I have a/the capability to write well, but I don’t have an/the ability to write a novel

[Queueuey]

I wonder if these can be used interchangeably in identical contexts or there is a difference between these in terms of meaning, idiomaticity and usage:

1. 'I have a capability to write well, but I don’t have an ability to write a novel'
2. 'I have the capability to write well, but I don’t have the ability to write a novel'
3. 'I have an ability to write well, but I don’t have a capability to write a novel'
4. 'I have the ability to write well, but I don’t have the capability to write a novel'

Source: https://begin-english.ru/article/navyki-na-angliyskom-yazyke-skills-capability-abilities/

 

[emsr2d2]

Only #2 and #4 work. All four of your sentences needed a closing punctuation mark before the closing quotation mark.

 

[Queueuey]

Only #2 and #4 work. All four of your sentences needed a closing punctuation mark before the closing quotation mark.

Thanks, Are they entirely interchangeable? Or there are contexts when only one can be used?

 

[emsr2d2]

Thanks. Are they entirely interchangeable no question mark here or there are there contexts when only one can be used?

Note my corrections above. Are you asking if sentences 2 and 4 have the same meaning?

 

[Annabel Lee]

Queueuey, in case you don't already know, you can use the related adjectives to say the same thing:

5. I am capable of writing well but am not able to write a novel.​

6. I am able to write well but am not capable of writing a novel.​

"Capable" takes the "of writing" complement and "able" the "to write" one; we can't say "able of writing" or "capable to write." Vary the verb however you like, the same will be true.

 

[jutfrank]

Yes, there is a difference in meaning between 'ability' and 'capability', where to put it simply, 'capability' suggests a potential, not necessarily actual, ability.