Capable in English: Your Complete Guide to Mastering This Powerful Word

Content publishing rules

Have you ever struggled to find the perfect word to describe someone's abilities, only to settle for something that feels incomplete or imprecise? The English language offers us "capable" - a word that carries far more weight and nuance than its simple dictionary definition suggests, and understanding how to use "capable in English" effectively can transform your communication from ordinary to exceptional by helping you express potential, competence, and trust with precision and confidence in both professional and personal contexts.

What is Capable? The usage of Capable in English — Capable in English: Your Complete Guide to Mastering This Powerful Word

I. Capable definition
II. Synonyms
III. Collocations
IV. List of capable prepositions
V. Differences between Capable and its “gang”
VI. Exercises on using Capable in English
1. 1. Exercises
2. 2. Answer

I. Capable definition

In English, Capable is pronounced as /ˈkeɪ.pə.bəl/ and functions as an adjective used to express someone's ability to do things effectively and skilfully and to achieve results. For example:

Maria's a very capable woman.
We need to get an assistant who's capable and efficient.

II. Synonyms

Below is the list of synonyms for Capable in English prepared by PREP!

Synonyms for Capable in English	Meaning	Example
Able /ˈeɪbəl/	to have the necessary physical strength, mental power, skill, time, money, or opportunity to do something	Despite the challenge, Jack was able to complete the marathon.
Competent /ˈkɒmpɪtənt/	able to do something well	Jennie is a competent manager and always fulfills her duties responsibly.
Expert /ˈɛkspɜrt/	having or showing a lot of knowledge or skill	John is an expert programmer and always delivers high-quality code.
Skillful /ˈskɪlfəl/	good at doing something, especially because you have practiced doing it	The artist demonstrated skillful technique through his piano performance.
Accomplished /əˈkʌmplɪʃt/	able to do or finish something successfully	Lisa is an accomplished writer, having completed numerous bestselling novels.

You can also explore more synonyms and antonyms for Capable in the Cambridge Dictionary here!

III. Collocations

Expanding your understanding of "capable in English" means exploring the rich variety of phrases and combinations that enhance your expressive power:

Phrase	Meaning	Best Usage Context	Example
Highly capable	Exceptional ability that exceeds expectations	Professional recommendations, performance reviews	"Sarah is a highly capable project manager who delivered three major initiatives under budget and ahead of schedule."
Perfectly capable	Complete competence for a specific task	Reassuring others, asserting independence	"Don't worry about him traveling alone - he's perfectly capable of navigating international airports and handling any issues that arise."
More than capable	Abilities that exceed requirements	Describing potential for advancement	"With her engineering background and leadership skills, she's more than capable of running the entire technical division."
Capable hands	Skilled and reliable person entrusted with responsibility	Project handovers, delegation scenarios	"I'm confident leaving this acquisition in your capable hands while I focus on the European expansion."
Capable of anything	Wide range of abilities (sometimes with caution)	Versatility praise or unpredictability concern	"Given her track record in sales, marketing, and operations, I believe she's capable of anything she sets her mind to."
Capable leader/engineer/teacher	Professional competence with broader judgment	Job descriptions, professional titles	"We need a capable leader who can guide the team through this digital transformation while maintaining morale and productivity."

IV. List of capable prepositions

In this section, PREP will notify students on "Which prepositions can be used with Capable in English?"!

List of prepositions used with Capable in English — List of capable prepositions

Prepositions used with Capable in English	Meaning	Example
Capable of	having the ability or qualities necessary for doing something	Robert is capable of the new CEO position of the company.
Capable in	having the ability to do things well	Nick is capable in emergency situations.

V. Differences between Capable and its “gang”

Understanding "capable in English" requires recognizing how it differs from similar words that often get confused or used interchangeably:

Word Comparison	Key Difference	Example Usage	Context Example
Capable vs. Able	"Capable" suggests comprehensive competence; "able" describes general capacity	Able: "She's able to drive" Capable: "She's capable of handling the cross-country trip"	Able: Basic skills or simple tasks Capable: Complex situations requiring judgment
Capable vs. Competent	"Capable" implies potential to excel; "competent" means meeting minimum standards	Competent: "The technician is competent at routine repairs" Capable: "The technician is capable of diagnosing complex system failures"	Competent: Meeting job requirements Capable: Exceeding expectations and adapting
Capable vs. Efficient	"Capable" encompasses broader ability; "efficient" focuses on resource optimization	Efficient: "She's efficient at data entry" Capable: "She's capable of managing the entire database migration project"	Efficient: Speed and resource management Capable: Overall competence and reliability
Capable vs. Qualified	"Capable" indicates inherent ability; "qualified" refers to formal credentials	Qualified: "He's qualified with his MBA and five years experience" Capable: "He's capable of turning around struggling departments"	Qualified: Education and experience requirements Capable: Natural ability and practical skills

VI. Exercises on using Capable in English

To understand more about "Which prepositions can be used with Capable in English?", let's complete the following exercises with PREP!

1. Exercises

Exercise 1: Find and correct errors

Jack is capable to complete these tasks.
Jimmy is can of playing piano so well.
They are able leaders.
Lisa is capable of swim for 2 hours.
John is a good pharmacist, he is capable of the medical laboratory.

Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions

My manager is going away next week, so she’ll be leaving everything _______ my capable hands.
My boss needs to get an assistant who’s capable _______ dealing with emergency situations.
I think women are more capable _______ looking after children rather than men.
Lucy is considered to be capable _______ every case.
I guarantee that Simon is really capable _______ doing this project.

Exercise 3: Choose Capable or Able to complete the sentences

Sarah is ______ of speaking four languages fluently.
Will Tom be ______ to finish the project on time?
The team is ______ of achieving great results with their hard work.
Is your sister ______ to solve complex mathematical problems?
The new employee has shown herself to be highly ______ in handling customer complaints.
Are you ______ to swim across the lake?
Despite his young age, the child is ______ of playing the piano beautifully.
Our team is ______ to adapt quickly to changing circumstances.
The experienced surgeon is ______ of performing complex surgeries with precision.
Is your brother ______ to fix the broken computer?

2. Answer

Exercise 1	1 - to complete ➞ of completing	2 - can ➞ capable	3 - able ➞ capable	4 - swim ➞ swimming	5 - of ➞ in
Exercise 2	1 - in	2 - of	3 - of	4 - in	5 - of
Exercise 3	1 - capable	2 - able	3 - capable	4 - able	5 - capable
Exercise 3	6 - able	7 - capable	8 - able	9 - capable	10 - able

Mastering "capable in English" transforms your ability to express confidence, competence, and potential with precision and impact, and the journey from understanding to fluent usage requires conscious practice in daily conversations and writing where you'll discover how this powerful word enhances your communication effectiveness. Remember that precise language creates precise thinking, so by choosing "capable" when you mean to express potential, competence, and reliability, you're building stronger connections with your audience and developing communication skills that will serve you well in professional settings, academic pursuits, and personal relationships where clear, confident expression matters most.

Chloe

Product Content Admin

Hi I'm Chloe, and I am currently serving as an Product Content Administrator at Prep Education. With over five years of experience in independent online IELTS study and exam preparation, I am confident in my ability to support learners in achieving their highest possible scores.