He is capable and he is able

[Logician]

Hi! I don't understand the difference between the sentences:
He is able to do it . and He is capable of doing it.

Thanks

Logician

[Alan]

Hi Logician,

He is able to do it means he can do it in the sense it is possible for him to do it. He is capable of doing it means he has the ability/capacity to do it.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Countlessfire]

Hi Alan,

It seems, it is not common to say:

'This man is very able.'

because I do not find dictionary examples like this, only 'be able to do' something.

[Alan]

Yes. It is more often used before a noun as 'an able student'.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Countlessfire]

thank you

[Countlessfire]

Alan,

May I ask you, when is it good, or natural, to say that 'He is very able.'
Because I do not only want a correct sentence.
I want a sentence that English people say in 'reality.'

[Alan]

Hi,

As I said, 'able' is not often used on its own as in: 'He is very able'. It would be more common to say something like: He's a very able student/man/chap/person/worker and so on and so on.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice

[Countlessfire]

Thank you again, Alan.

Do you think 'He is very able' is a good sentence, although it is not incorrect?

[Davidbendtner]

Hi,Well its very easy to understand although both the sentence looks quite similar but they had different meaning...i will explain you how..

First simply check the difference between the word "able" and "capable"

Both the words had been lot used in there adjective forms and i am sure u must came across them quite often like "Ability" and "Capability"

like "Capability" is often used to describe the maximum limits of doing something,but its not sure and uncertainty is always there.

on the other hand "Ability" is often used in more practical terms and had definite meaning and surety of subject,not uncertain like capability"

check these sentences:

1.Mac is capable of playing piano.
2.Mac is able to play piano.

Now in first sentience Mac is been projected that he can play piano,but not sure that if he can play or not ..there is big hypothetical situation..of may be may not be.

While in other sentience it is damn sure that Mac can play piano..there is no question of may be or may not ,it is more practical..while the word capability is not practical but just an assumption and estimation.

i hope now you got it..

[Torsten]

Hi David,

Your explanation is very confusing and contains multiple grammar and spelling errors. Please do not answer any grammar questions on our forum. Instead, you can ask questions.

Many thanks,
Torsten

TOEFL listening lectures: A lecture from a life sciences class (2)

[Countlessfire]

Hi Torsten,

I asked Alan a question. I also want to know your idea. Thank you.

The question is:

Do you think 'He is very able' is a good sentence, although it is not incorrect?

[Pilot5806]

ı think; able to mean is skill ,ability and capable of mean come through,cope with

[Torsten]