Cool MateAble vs Competent vs Fit vs Qualified vs Skilled
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Able
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Competent
Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective
Fit
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Qualified
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adjective
Skilled
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
| Able | Competent | Fit | Qualified | Skilled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈeɪbl/","/ˈeɪblə(r)/","/ˈeɪblɪst/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈeɪbl/","/ˈeɪblər/","/ˈeɪblɪst/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒmpɪtənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːmpɪtənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/fɪt/","/fɪts/","/ˈfɪtɪd/","/ˈfɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fɪt/","/fɪts/","/ˈfɪtɪd/","/ˈfɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkwɒlɪfaɪd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkwɑːlɪfaɪd/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/skɪld/"]/🇺🇸 /["/skɪld/"]/ |
| Meaning | Having the skill, power, or opportunity to do something. | Able to do something well | To be the right size or shape for something. | Having the right skills or knowledge for a job. | Good at doing something because of practice |
| Example | She is able to speak three languages. | She is a competent lawyer who always wins her cases. | I need to fit this new sofa into my living room. | She is a highly qualified teacher with years of experience. | a skilled engineer/negotiator/craftsman |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | C1 | A2 | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective | verb | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, feel, prove, fully, perfectly, quite, be, seem, extremely, fairly, very | be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, in, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, in | closely, neatly, nicely, be designed to, in, into, onto, closely, neatly, nicely, be designed to, in, into, onto, perfectly, seamlessly, for, with, perfectly, seamlessly, for, with | be, become, get, highly, well, fully, as, be, feel, eminently, ideally, uniquely, be, heavily | be, become, extremely, fairly, very, at, in, with, skilled in the art (of something), be, become, extremely, fairly, very, at, in, with, skilled in the art (of something) |
| Antonyms | unable, incapable | incompetent, inept, unqualified | miss, squeeze, misfit | unqualified, incompetent | unskilled, inexperienced, inept |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'capable' — they are similar but not interchangeable., Using 'able' without 'to' when following it with a verb., Incorrectly using 'able' with a past event. | 'Competency' is confused with 'competence' despite the latter being more commonly used., Using 'competent' as a noun instead of an adjective., Confusing 'competent' with 'complacent', which means self-satisfied. | 'Fit' is often confused with 'fitted' — 'fit' describes the state, 'fitted' describes the act of making something fit., Some learners forget to use the preposition 'into' when discussing fitting in a space (e.g., 'fit into the box')., Using 'fit' as a noun instead of a verb can lead to confusion, as it mainly functions as a verb. | Confusing 'qualified' with 'qualifying', Using 'qualified' without specifying what for, Mispronouncing 'qualified' with an incorrect emphasis | Using 'skilled' with 'to' instead of 'at' (e.g., 'skilled to play' instead of 'skilled at playing'), Confusing 'skilled' with 'skillful' — while similar, 'skillful' often refers to someone who is good at doing something in a practical context., Overusing 'skilled' when a more specific word (like 'talented' or 'expert') would be more fitting. |
| Usage notes | Use 'able' to express capability in a neutral context. It’s appropriate in both spoken and written English but avoid using it in overly formal situations. | Use 'competent' to describe someone who can perform a task effectively. It's appropriate in professional or academic contexts, but may sound too formal in casual conversations. | Use 'fit' when discussing whether something matches well or is suitable. It's neutral, so it can be used in both casual and formal conversations. Avoid using it when discussing emotional or abstract concepts; it’s more about physical or practical suitability. | Used when discussing someone's abilities in a work context. Appropriately used in job interviews and resumes, but avoid informal situations. | Use 'skilled' to describe someone's ability in a certain area, especially in a professional or artistic context. It's appropriate in both casual and formal settings. |
Frequently asked questions: Able vs Competent vs Fit vs Qualified vs Skilled
What's the difference between Able, Competent, Fit, Qualified, and Skilled?
Able: Having the skill, power, or opportunity to do something. Competent: Able to do something well Fit: To be the right size or shape for something. Qualified: Having the right skills or knowledge for a job. Skilled: Good at doing something because of practice
Which is more advanced: Able, Competent, Fit, Qualified, and Skilled?
Competent is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Able, Competent, Fit, Qualified, and Skilled the same CEFR level?
Able: A2, Competent: C1, Fit: A2, Qualified: B1, Skilled: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Able, Competent, Fit, Qualified, and Skilled?
Able: adjective, Competent: adjective, Fit: verb, Qualified: adjective, Skilled: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Able: She is able to speak three languages. Competent: She is a competent lawyer who always wins her cases. Fit: I need to fit this new sofa into my living room. Qualified: She is a highly qualified teacher with years of experience. Skilled: a skilled engineer/negotiator/craftsman
Can I use Able, Competent, Fit, Qualified, and Skilled interchangeably?
Not always. Able, Competent, Fit, Qualified, and Skilled are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.