Cool MateCapable vs That doesn't mean you're useless
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Capable
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
That doesn't mean you're useless
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Capable
| Capable | That doesn't mean you're useless | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkeɪpəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkeɪpəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæt ˈdʌzənt miːn jʊə ˈjuːsləs//🇺🇸 //ðæt ˈdʌzənt min jʊr ˈjuslɪs// |
| Meaning | able to do something; having the skill or power to do it | It doesn't say you have no value. |
| Example | She is quite capable of handling difficult situations on her own. | After failing the exam, she thought, 'That doesn't mean you're useless.' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | appear, be, feel, fully, more than, perfectly, be, seem, extremely, fairly, very | feel useless, talent recognition, self-worth, personal value, positive reinforcement |
| Antonyms | incapable, unable | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused about using 'capable of' versus 'capable for'., Using 'capability' instead of 'capable' incorrectly., Using 'capable' as an adverb (it’s an adjective). | Using 'mean' incorrectly as a noun or without a subject., Confusing 'useless' with 'unhelpful' or 'ineffective'., Omitting the possessive 'you're' and writing 'your'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'capable' to describe someone or something that has the ability to achieve a task. It's suitable in both personal and professional contexts. Avoid using it in overly casual situations. | Use when reassuring someone about their worth. It's neutral and appropriate in most contexts, especially when discussing feelings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Capable vs That doesn't mean you're useless
What's the difference between Capable and That doesn't mean you're useless?
Capable: able to do something; having the skill or power to do it That doesn't mean you're useless: It doesn't say you have no value.
Which is more common: Capable and That doesn't mean you're useless?
Capable is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Capable: She is quite capable of handling difficult situations on her own. That doesn't mean you're useless: After failing the exam, she thought, 'That doesn't mean you're useless.'
Can I use Capable and That doesn't mean you're useless interchangeably?
Not always. Capable and That doesn't mean you're useless are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.