ability后接不定式时用单数还是复数的问题

问题描述

ability后接不定式时好像通常是用单数。我查到的例子有：

He prided himself on his ability to fix cars. 他为自己修车的本领而得意。

I have complete trust in his ability to keep a secret. 我完全相信他能够保守秘密。

I seem to have lost my ability to attract clients. 我好像失去了招徕顾客的能力。

We respect her for her ability to listen carefully. 我们因她能认真聆听而尊重她。

He takes great pride in his ability to fix things. 他因为会修理东西而感到十分自豪。

这些句子中的 ability 都是用的单数，我猜是不是因为这些 ability 前面的代词是单数的原因呢？假若ability 前面的物主代词是复数呢？比如是 our, their 这样的复数呢？后面的 ability 可以用复数吗？请专家老师赐教！

老师答疑

陈老师：

▲ability 后接不定式时总是用单数形式，不管它前面修饰它的物主代词或所有格是单数还是复数。你的例子中 ability 前面的物主代词都是单数，下面例子中 ability 前面的物主代词或所有格都是复数，但 ability 也只能用单数。如：

Both players demonstrated their ability to hit the ball hard. 两名球员都显露出用力击球的能力。

Freezing weather in spring hampered the hens’ ability to lay. 春天严寒的天气降低了母鸡的产蛋能力。

He has blind faith (=unreasonable trust) in doctors’ ability to find a cure. 他盲目相信医生有妙手回春的能力。

What impressed me was their ability to deal with any problem. 给我留下深刻印象的是他们处理任何问题的能力。

Humans differ from other mammals in their ability to speak and use tools. 人会说话和会使用工具的能力使其有别于其他哺乳动物。

The main determinant of economic success is our ability to control inflation. 经济方面的成就主要取决于我们控制通货膨胀的能力。

Everyone has the right to good medical care regardless of their ability to pay. 无论支付能力如何，人人都有权得到良好的医疗保健服务。

▲顺便说一句，如果不是后接不定式，与物主代词或所有格连用的 ability 则可以用单数（侧重从整体上考虑其能力）也可以用复数（侧重考虑其多方面的能力）。如：

He has a quiet confidence in his ability. 他对自己胸有成竹，但却并不张扬。

Students do different syllabuses according to their ability. 学生根据自己的能力学习不同课程大纲的课程。

Her low salary is not commensurate with her abilities. 她的薪水很低，与她的能力不相称。

We built up confidence in our abilities. 我们逐步建立起对自己能力的信心。

黎老师：

完全同意陈老师的解答。下列内容供参考：《牛津高阶英汉双解词典》第8版ability 第1义如下：
[sing] ability to do sth the fact that sb/sth is able to do sth 能力：
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。
Everyone has the right to good medical care regardless of their ability to pay. 无论支付能力如何，每个人都有权得到良好的医疗保健。
这里的 [sing] ability to do sth 就是说 ability 后接不定式时总是用单数形式。