English Dictionary
Definition capable in British English
capable
adjective
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.
These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
adjective
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
The adjective capable is never followed by an infinitive. Use the pattern capable of doing something:
✗ Both sexes are capable to do military service.
✓ Both sexes are capable of doing military service.
✗ A university graduate is expected to be capable to cope with such a situation.
✓ A university graduate is expected to be capable of coping with such a situation.
Note that the adjective incapable is used in exactly the same way.
able to do something
He is capable of anything (=any action, however bad) if it furthers his ambition.
