Commonly Confused Words

Among the most common errors in usage are those which arise from confusing certain pairs or sets of words. Speakers and writers use these words incorrectly because they have not learned their precise meaning. The following words are among the ones most likely to present difficulty. (This information is from an Unknown Source)

ABLE -- CAPABLE
The word ABLE means "having the ability to perform a given act." For example:

I am ABLE to walk through the swamp.

The word CAPABLE means 1. "having adequate capacity to do or to make" or 2. "having adequate capacity to receive an action." For example:

He is a CAPABLE leader.
This book is CAPABLE of being translated.

A common error arises from the attempt to use ABLE for CAPABLE in the second meaning listed above, i.e., situations in which the "capacity to receive and action" is involved.

WRONG: This law is ABLE to be evaded. (Wrong because the capacity to receive an action is involved.)
RIGHT: This law is CAPABLE of being evaded.
RIGHT: This tanker is ABLE to be restored.
RIGHT: This tanker is CAPABLE of being restored.