Definitions
- Describing someone who has the physical or mental capacity to do something. - Referring to a person's general ability or competence in a particular area. - Talking about a person's potential or likelihood of success in a given situation.
- Describing someone who has the necessary skills or qualities to do something well. - Referring to a person's specific ability or competence in a particular area. - Talking about a person's potential or likelihood of success based on their demonstrated abilities.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a person's ability to do something.
- 2Both words can be used as adjectives or verbs.
- 3Both words imply a level of competence or skill.
- 4Both words suggest that the person has the potential to succeed.
What is the difference?
- 1Scope: Able is more general and can refer to a person's overall capacity, while capable is more specific and refers to a person's ability in a particular area.
- 2Qualities: Able emphasizes physical or mental capacity, while capable emphasizes skills and qualities.
- 3Usage: Able is more commonly used in everyday language, while capable is more formal and often used in professional or academic contexts.
- 4Connotation: Able is neutral and does not imply any particular positive or negative connotation, while capable suggests a positive connotation and implies competence and skill.
Remember this!
Able and capable are synonyms that describe a person's ability to do something. However, able is more general and refers to a person's overall capacity, while capable is more specific and refers to a person's ability in a particular area. Additionally, able emphasizes physical or mental capacity, while capable emphasizes skills and qualities.
