Cool MateCapable vs You were good at something
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Capable
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
You were good at something
Top 2,000 (common)
| Capable | You were good at something | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkeɪpəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkeɪpəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //juː wəː gʊd æt ˈsʌmθɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ju wɚ gʊd æt ˈsʌmθɪŋ// |
| Meaning | able to do something; having the skill or power to do it | You did well at something. |
| Example | She is quite capable of handling difficult situations on her own. | You were good at mathematics in school. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | appear, be, feel, fully, more than, perfectly, be, seem, extremely, fairly, very | good at math, good at sports, good at art, good at communicating, good at problem-solving |
| Antonyms | incapable, unable | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused about using 'capable of' versus 'capable for'., Using 'capability' instead of 'capable' incorrectly., Using 'capable' as an adverb (it’s an adjective). | Incorrectly use 'good in' instead of 'good at'., Omitting 'at' from the phrase., Using 'good' with a noun instead of a gerund (verb+ing). |
| 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 'good at' when discussing skills or abilities. It's neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it in overly negative or critical comments. |
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Frequently asked questions: Capable vs You were good at something
What's the difference between Capable and You were good at something?
Capable: able to do something; having the skill or power to do it You were good at something: You did well at something.
Can you show an example of each?
Capable: She is quite capable of handling difficult situations on her own. You were good at something: You were good at mathematics in school.
Can I use Capable and You were good at something interchangeably?
Not always. Capable and You were good at something 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.