able

able /ˈeibl/ adj. 1.能 (与不定式连用)： He was able to read Greek at the age of eight.他八岁时就能读希腊文了。They would never be able to afford such a big house. 他们永远买不起那么大的房子。2.能干的，出色的(作定语和表语): an able lawyer一位能干的律师He was acknowledged as an able statesman.他被公认为是个有才干的政治家。The general impression at the studio was that he was able.在这个画室获得的总的印象是他很有才能。

［辨析］able意为“能干”，侧重主动，指人的才智和才干，多用于正面的意思，并指现象，后接动词不定式。capable 侧重能力的被动方面，即承受能力，既可指人，也可指物，作表语时常接of。competent意为“胜任”，着重于具有胜任某种工作 的足够技能或必要条件。