Cool MateAble vs Competent vs Skilled
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Able
Competent
Skilled
| Able | Competent | Skilled | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈeɪbl/","/ˈeɪblə(r)/","/ˈeɪblɪst/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈeɪbl/","/ˈeɪblər/","/ˈeɪblɪst/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒmpɪtənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːmpɪtənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/skɪld/"]/🇺🇸 /["/skɪld/"]/ |
| Meaning | Having the skill, power, or opportunity to do something. | Able to do something well | Good at doing something because of practice |
| Example | She is able to speak three languages. | She is a competent lawyer who always wins her cases. | a skilled engineer/negotiator/craftsman |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | C1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, feel, prove, fully, perfectly, quite, be, seem, extremely, fairly, very | be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, in, be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, in | be, become, extremely, fairly, very, at, in, with, skilled in the art (of something), be, become, extremely, fairly, very, at, in, with, skilled in the art (of something) |
| Antonyms | unable, incapable | incompetent, inept, unqualified | unskilled, inexperienced, inept |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'capable' — they are similar but not interchangeable., Using 'able' without 'to' when following it with a verb., Incorrectly using 'able' with a past event. | 'Competency' is confused with 'competence' despite the latter being more commonly used., Using 'competent' as a noun instead of an adjective., Confusing 'competent' with 'complacent', which means self-satisfied. | Using 'skilled' with 'to' instead of 'at' (e.g., 'skilled to play' instead of 'skilled at playing'), Confusing 'skilled' with 'skillful' — while similar, 'skillful' often refers to someone who is good at doing something in a practical context., Overusing 'skilled' when a more specific word (like 'talented' or 'expert') would be more fitting. |
| Usage notes | Use 'able' to express capability in a neutral context. It’s appropriate in both spoken and written English but avoid using it in overly formal situations. | Use 'competent' to describe someone who can perform a task effectively. It's appropriate in professional or academic contexts, but may sound too formal in casual conversations. | Use 'skilled' to describe someone's ability in a certain area, especially in a professional or artistic context. It's appropriate in both casual and formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Able vs Competent vs Skilled
What's the difference between Able, Competent, and Skilled?
Able: Having the skill, power, or opportunity to do something. Competent: Able to do something well Skilled: Good at doing something because of practice
Which is more common: Able, Competent, and Skilled?
Able is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Able, Competent, and Skilled?
Competent is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Able, Competent, and Skilled the same CEFR level?
Able: A2, Competent: C1, Skilled: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Able, Competent, and Skilled?
Able: adjective, Competent: adjective, Skilled: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Able: She is able to speak three languages. Competent: She is a competent lawyer who always wins her cases. Skilled: a skilled engineer/negotiator/craftsman
Can I use Able, Competent, and Skilled interchangeably?
Not always. Able, Competent, and Skilled 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.