Vastny Languages editorial team
Able, capable, qualified, and competent: what's the difference?
Able and capable concern ability. Qualified concerns the training, experience or credentials required for a role. Competent means having enough skill to do a job properly.
Able and capable concern ability. Qualified concerns the training, experience or credentials required for a role. Competent means having enough skill to do a job properly.
Which word fits here?
Use able with to and a verb: able to swim or able to finish the work.
Use capable with of and a noun or -ing form: capable of solving the problem.
Use qualified when someone meets the requirements for a role, through training, experience or credentials.
Use competent for someone who can perform a task adequately and reliably; it does not necessarily mean outstanding.
How to choose a word
Use able with to and a verb: able to swim or able to finish the work.
Use capable with of and a noun or -ing form: capable of solving the problem.
Use qualified when someone meets the requirements for a role, through training, experience or credentials.
Use competent for someone who can perform a task adequately and reliably; it does not necessarily mean outstanding.
Word by word
able
Use able with to and a verb: able to swim or able to finish the work.
I won’t be able to join the meeting tomorrow.
Users are able to reset their passwords online.
capable
Use capable with of and a noun or -ing form: capable of solving the problem.
She is capable of handling pressure and making hard decisions.
We need a capable team to launch the product on time.
qualified
Use qualified when someone meets the requirements for a role, through training, experience or credentials.
He is qualified for the position because he has five years of experience.
Only a fully qualified electrician should repair this wiring.
competent
Use competent for someone who can perform a task adequately and reliably; it does not necessarily mean outstanding.
She is a competent teacher, and her students make steady progress.
He is competent at managing budgets.
