Which term describes the capacity a subject has to carry out his or her intent to cause death or great bodily harm?

• A. Ability
• B. Capability
• C. Intention
• D. Motive

Answer: (A)

To be liable for attempting to cause death or great bodily harm, the essential factor is having both the intent to commit the act and the ability to carry it out. The word that describes the capacity to actually perform the act is ability. If someone has the intent to kill but no means or power to do so—no weapon, no opportunity, or physical incapacity—then the required capacity isn’t present, and that impedes liability for an attempted offense. The other terms don’t fit the same way: intention is the mental decision to commit the harm, not whether you can execute it; motive explains why someone might want to commit the harm, but not whether they can do it; capability is close in meaning but typically signals potential or general possibility rather than the actual present capacity to complete the act.