Cool MateAble vs Capable vs Fit vs Qualified vs Skilled
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Able
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Capable
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Fit
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Qualified
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adjective
Skilled
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
| Able | Capable | Fit | Qualified | Skilled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈeɪbl/","/ˈeɪblə(r)/","/ˈeɪblɪst/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈeɪbl/","/ˈeɪblər/","/ˈeɪblɪst/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkeɪpəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkeɪpəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/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; having the skill or power to do it | 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 quite capable of handling difficult situations on her own. | 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 | B2 | A2 | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective | verb | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, feel, prove, fully, perfectly, quite, be, seem, extremely, fairly, very | appear, be, feel, fully, more than, perfectly, be, seem, extremely, fairly, very | 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 | incapable, unable | 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. | Confused about using 'capable of' versus 'capable for'., Using 'capability' instead of 'capable' incorrectly., Using 'capable' as an adverb (it’s an adjective). | '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 '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 '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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Able vs Capable vs Fit vs Qualified vs Skilled
What's the difference between Able, Capable, Fit, Qualified, and Skilled?
Able: Having the skill, power, or opportunity to do something. Capable: able to do something; having the skill or power to do it 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
Are Able, Capable, Fit, Qualified, and Skilled the same CEFR level?
Able: A2, Capable: B2, Fit: A2, Qualified: B1, Skilled: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Able, Capable, Fit, Qualified, and Skilled?
Able: adjective, Capable: adjective, Fit: verb, Qualified: adjective, Skilled: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Able: She is able to speak three languages. Capable: She is quite capable of handling difficult situations on her own. 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, Capable, Fit, Qualified, and Skilled interchangeably?
Not always. Able, Capable, 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.