capable

capable — adjective

1. having the skill, confidence, and organisation to get things done well — for exa

1.形容詞B2
釋義

having the skill, confidence, and organisation to get things done well — for example, a capable manager who keeps projects on schedule, or a capable driver who handles heavy traffic without stress.

例句

The hospital needs a capable surgeon who can handle emergency operations under pressure.

capable + noun: describes a skilled professional

Ravi proved himself a very capable leader during the team's restructuring.

proved + capable + noun: demonstrating competence

同義詞
  • competent

    focuses on having the necessary minimum skills; slightly more formal than 'capable'

  • skilful

    emphasises technical expertise and practised ability rather than general effectiveness

  • efficient

    stresses doing things with minimal wasted time or effort, not just well

  • able

    more general; often used as a weaker alternative in everyday speech

反義詞
  • incompetent

    strong opposite; lacking the necessary skills entirely

  • incapable

    direct antonym formed with the negative prefix

文法句型

capable + noun

be + capable

用法筆記

Predicative use often pairs with adverbs like 'highly', 'extremely', or 'very' to increase intensity. The attributive use (before a noun) is common in professional contexts.

常見錯誤

❌She is a very capable to lead the team.
✅She is a very capable leader.
💡'capable' is an adjective, not a verb; do not follow it with a to-infinitive directly.
❌He is capable of a good doctor.
✅He is a capable doctor.
💡Use the attributive form with a noun, not 'capable of' + noun phrase.

2. having the necessary ability, power, or quality to do a specific thing — for ins

2.形容詞B2
釋義

having the necessary ability, power, or quality to do a specific thing — for instance, a phone capable of running the latest apps, or a student capable of solving complex math problems.

例句

The old truck is still capable of carrying loads up to two tonnes.

capable of + gerund: carrying loads

Nadia is capable of memorising a long speech in just one evening.

同義詞
  • able to

    more neutral and common; 'capable of' implies a stronger or more lasting ability

  • fit for

    suggests suitability rather than raw ability; used more for objects and conditions

  • qualified to

    implies formal training or certification; narrower than 'capable of'

反義詞
  • incapable of

    direct negative counterpart with the same grammatical pattern

  • unable to

    weaker and more temporary opposite

文法句型

be + capable + of + noun/gerund

用法筆記

This sense is ALWAYS followed by 'of' before the noun or gerund. It cannot be used with a bare to-infinitive (*capable to do). 'Capable of' can describe both people and things, including machines, devices, or systems.

常見錯誤

❌He is capable to solve the problem.
✅He is capable of solving the problem.
💡'capable' must be followed by 'of' + gerund, never by a to-infinitive.
❌Are you capable for this job?
✅Are you capable of doing this job?
💡Use 'of', not 'for', to introduce the action or task.

capable — suffix