Able vs Competent vs Skilled

Quando usar cada um em inglês, com significado, registro e exemplos.

Able

Top 1000 (muito comum) A2 adjective

Competent

Top 2000 (comum) C1 adjective

Skilled

Top 2000 (comum) B2 adjective

Mais comum: Able

	Able	Competent	Skilled
Pronúncia	🇬🇧 /["/ˈeɪbl/","/ˈeɪblə(r)/","/ˈeɪblɪst/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈeɪbl/","/ˈeɪblər/","/ˈeɪblɪst/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒmpɪtənt/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːmpɪtənt/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/skɪld/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/skɪld/"]/
Significado	Ter a habilidade, poder ou oportunidade de fazer algo. Having the skill, power, or opportunity to do something.	Capaz de fazer algo bem. Able to do something well	Bom em fazer algo por causa da prática. Good at doing something because of practice
Exemplo	She is able to speak three languages.	She is a competent lawyer who always wins her cases.	a skilled engineer/negotiator/craftsman
Registro	Neutro	Neutro	Neutro
Quão comum	Top 1000 (muito comum)	Top 2000 (comum)	Top 2000 (comum)
Nível CEFR	A2	C1	B2
Classe gramatical	adjective	adjective	adjective
Colocações	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)
Antônimos	unable, incapable	incompetent, inept, unqualified	unskilled, inexperienced, inept
Erros comuns	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.
Notas de uso	Use 'able' para expressar capacidade em um contexto neutro. É apropriado tanto na fala quanto na escrita, mas evite usá-lo em situações excessivamente formais. 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 'competente' para descrever alguém que pode realizar uma tarefa de forma eficaz. É apropriado em contextos profissionais ou acadêmicos, mas pode soar muito formal em conversas casuais. 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 'habilidoso' para descrever a capacidade de alguém em uma determinada área, especialmente em um contexto profissional ou artístico. É apropriado tanto em ambientes casuais quanto formais. 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.

Veja em clipes reais

I want to be able to say things, just one-to-one.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. › S1 E1

I was able to hack S.H.I.E.L.D. from my van.

The Sopranos › S1 E1

that they wouldn't be able to shut him up.

I want to be able to say things, just one-to-one.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. › S1 E1

I was able to hack S.H.I.E.L.D. from my van.

Able

...from even the most skilled extractor.

The Lord Of The Rings › The Fellowship Of The Ring

Worthy of the skill of our woodland kin.

...from even the most skilled extractor.

The Lord Of The Rings › The Fellowship Of The Ring

Worthy of the skill of our woodland kin.

Skilled

Perguntas frequentes: Able vs Competent vs Skilled

Qual é a diferença entre Able, Competent e 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

Qual é mais comum: Able, Competent e Skilled?

Able é a mais comum no inglês do dia a dia.

Qual é mais avançada: Able, Competent e Skilled?

Competent é o nível mais alto, em C1, na escala CEFR.

Able, Competent e Skilled estão no mesmo nível CEFR?

Able: A2, Competent: C1, Skilled: B2 na escala CEFR.

Que classe gramatical são Able, Competent e Skilled?

Able: adjective, Competent: adjective, Skilled: adjective.

Pode mostrar um exemplo de cada?

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

Posso usar Able, Competent e Skilled de forma intercambiável?

Nem sempre. Able, Competent e Skilled são relacionadas e às vezes se sobrepõem, mas diferem em registro, frequência e uso, então trocar uma pela outra pode mudar o sentido ou o tom. Veja as diferenças acima antes de substituir.