¿¿¿capable and able???

Question

What's the difference between able and capable? And when are they applied (examples would be great) thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Good question and one that made me stop to ponder. And these two words do seem almost interchangeable if you simply look at the definitions. And sometimes they are used almost interchangeably.

Capable indicates that you have the skill or knowledge to perform a task PROVIDED that other necessary conditions are met.

Able indicates that one is in possession of all the necessary qualities to perform a task.

Example:
I am capable of building a house, but I am only able to do so if I have the necessary tools and materials.

Answer 2

Capable – Accomplished. Competent.

1. doing something well: good at a particular task or job or at a number of different things.
"She is a very capable hotel manager."

Able – clever intelligent bright gifted

1. in position to do something: physically or mentally equipped to do something, especially because of circumstances and timing.

"Were you able to reach her before she left?"

Answer 3

ABLE: It means you can do something easily, because you know about it very well and have the intelligence.
CAPABLE: it means you have just enough skills to accomplish a task.

I believe ABLE is stronger.
CAPABLE is weaker.

(-source: "human dictionary")