Capable vs Effective

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

	Capable	Effective
Meaning	able to do something; having the skill or power to do it	Works well or gets good results.
CEFR level	B2	B1
Part of speech	adjective	adjective
Usage notes	Use 'capable' to describe someone or something that has the ability to achieve a task. It's suitable in both personal and professional contexts. Avoid using it in overly casual situations.	Use 'effective' when describing something that produces the desired outcome. It's suitable for both written and spoken contexts but avoid using it in overly casual settings.

Frequently asked questions: Capable vs Effective

What's the difference between "Capable" and "Effective"?

"Capable" means: able to do something; having the skill or power to do it "Effective" means: Works well or gets good results.

When should I use "Capable" and "Effective"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "Capable" and "Effective" the same CEFR level?

"Capable" is at B2, "Effective" is at B1 on the CEFR scale.