able, capable, competent用法区别

一、able的用法

able 最常用词，多用于褒义，着重指多方面的，经常性的，或潜在性的能力。有时也指高超、非凡的能力。如：

He is an able man. 他是一个能干的人。

He made a very able speech. 他作了一篇很出色的讲话。

She is the ablest girl I’ve ever met. 她是我见到过的最有才干的姑娘。

She won’t be able to come tomorrow. 她明天不能来。

You might be able to convince her. 你也许能说服她。

I’d like to be able to read English books. 我希望能看英文书。

二、capable的用法

capable 语气弱于able，指有能力、有潜力或有条件做某事，常与of连用。如：

The doctor seems very capable. 医生似乎很能干。

He is capable of managing well。他具有善于处理事务的能力。

She was perfectly capable of taking care of herself. 她完全有能力照顾自己。

A capable person is one who manages well. 一个有能力的人是一个善于处理事务的人。

Do you dare to suggest that I am capable of such an act? 你 (竟) 敢说我能做出这样的事?

三、competent的用法

competent 强调具有能胜任某项工作的足够技能或其它所需的条件。如：

We have to admit that he’s a competent man. 我们得承认他是一个很称职的人。(from www.yywords.com)

As he became more competent he was given more interesting work. 随着他能力的增长，他被托付以更有意义的工作。

Granted that he is not brilliant, he is at least competent and works hard. 他即使不是很聪明，起码也是能胜任肯苦干的。

Granted that he is not brilliant, he is at least competent and works hard. 即使他并不非常聪明，他至少胜任这项工作，而且勤勤恳恳的。

He is such a competent teacher that many schools want to hire him. 他是一位很有能力的老师，所以许多学校都争相聘请他。