Ability vs Capability vs Competence

Quand utiliser chacun en anglais, avec le sens, le registre et des exemples.

Ability

Top 1000 (très courant)A2noun

Capability

Top 2000 (courant)C1noun

Competence

Top 2000 (courant)C1noun
Le plus courant: Ability
 AbilityCapabilityCompetence
Prononciation🇬🇧 /["/əˈbɪləti/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈbɪləti/"]/🇬🇧 /["/ˌkeɪpəˈbɪləti/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌkeɪpəˈbɪləti/"]/🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒmpɪtəns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːmpɪtəns/"]/
SensThe skill to do something.The ability to do something.the ability to do something well
ExempleShe has the ability to learn new languages quickly.Her capability as a leader impressed everyone at the meeting.Her competence in multiple languages impresses her colleagues.
RegistreNeutreNeutreNeutre
FréquenceTop 1000 (très courant)Top 2000 (courant)Top 2000 (courant)
Niveau CEFRA2C1C1
Nature grammaticalenounnounnoun
Collocationsexceptional, extraordinary, great, level, have, possess, retain, ability in, to the best of your ability, high, limited, low, assess, measure, test, level, range, a range of ability, a range of abilitiesadvanced, enhanced, limited, demonstrate, have, possess, beyond somebody’s capability, within somebody’s capability, capability for, advanced, enhanced, limited, demonstrate, have, possess, beyond somebody’s capability, within somebody’s capability, capability forgreat, basic, academic, have, demonstrate, display, beyond somebody’s competence, within somebody’s competence, competence as, a level of competence, a standard of competence, formal, exclusive, have, outside somebody/​something’s competence, within somebody/​something’s competence, an area of competence
Antonymesinability, ineptnessincapability, inabilityincompetence, ineptitude
Erreurs fréquentesConfused with 'capability' — 'ability' refers to a skill, while 'capability' refers to the potential to develop a skill., Using 'ability' without a verb or context can make sentences unclear., Incorrectly pluralizing as 'abilities' when referring to a single skill.Confusing with 'capacity' which refers to volume or quantity., Using it as a verb instead of a noun., Misplacing the emphasis in pronunciation.Confused with 'competency'; both refer to abilities but 'competence' is broader., Misused as a verb; 'competence' is always a noun., Spelling errors, especially with the second 'e'.
Notes d'usageUse 'ability' in contexts where referring to someone's skills or talents. Avoid it in very casual conversations where simpler words like 'skill' may be more appropriate.Use 'capability' in professional or academic contexts to discuss skills or potential. It's not commonly used in casual conversations.Use 'competence' in contexts such as job skills or educational achievements. Avoid in very casual conversations; prefer 'skill' or 'ability' instead.

Questions fréquentes : Ability vs Capability vs Competence

Quelle est la différence entre Ability, Capability et Competence ?

Ability: The skill to do something. Capability: The ability to do something. Competence: the ability to do something well

Lequel est le plus courant : Ability, Capability et Competence ?

Ability est le plus courant dans l'anglais de tous les jours.

Ability, Capability et Competence sont-ils au même niveau CEFR ?

Ability: A2, Capability: C1, Competence: C1 sur l'échelle CEFR.

Quelle est la nature grammaticale de Ability, Capability et Competence ?

Ability: noun, Capability: noun, Competence: noun.

Peux-tu montrer un exemple de chacun ?

Ability: She has the ability to learn new languages quickly. Capability: Her capability as a leader impressed everyone at the meeting. Competence: Her competence in multiple languages impresses her colleagues.

Puis-je utiliser Ability, Capability et Competence de façon interchangeable ?

Pas toujours. Ability, Capability et Competence sont proches et se recoupent parfois, mais elles diffèrent par le registre, la fréquence et l'usage, donc remplacer l'une par l'autre peut changer le sens ou le ton. Regarde les différences ci-dessus avant de substituer.

Comparaisons associées