able
able — 形容詞
- ablepositive
- ablercomparative
- ablestsuperlative
1. having everything required — the physical ability, know-how, time, funds, or sim
能夠
具備做某事所需的能力或條件
having everything required — the physical ability, know-how, time, funds, or simply the chance — to do what is needed
After weeks of practice, Javier was able to play the whole piece from memory.
經過幾週的練習後，Javier 能夠不看譜彈完整首曲子。
able + to-infinitive for an acquired skill
The lift is broken, so we are not able to reach the rooftop today.
電梯故障了，所以我們今天沒辦法到達頂樓。
Fatima will be able to join the call once her meeting finishes at three.
Fatima 三點會議結束後就能加入通話。
Are you able to pick up the children from school this afternoon?
你今天下午能去學校接孩子嗎？
With the scholarship grant, Ananya is now able to afford her university fees.
有了獎學金補助，Ananya 現在能夠負擔大學費用了。
- capable of
more formal; often used in official or academic contexts
- in a position to
emphasises having the opportunity rather than the skill itself
文法句型
able + to-infinitive
常見錯誤
2. in a better position to do something, because conditions have changed or help ha
較能
因情況改善而更容易做到
in a better position to do something, because conditions have changed or help has been given
With her new reading glasses, Mei-Lin was better able to study late into the night.
有了新的老花眼鏡，Mei-Lin 較能熬夜讀書了。
better able + to-infinitive
The new software helps staff members be better able to track customer orders.
新軟體讓員工較能追蹤客戶訂單。
After the training course, Dmitri felt better able to handle difficult clients.
培訓課程結束後，Dmitri 覺得自己較能應付難纏的客戶。
Living nearer the hospital, Sofia was better able to care for her elderly father.
住得離醫院更近後，Sofia 較能照顧年邁的父親。
- better equipped to
suggests having better tools, training, or preparation
- better placed to
emphasises a more favourable position or location
文法句型
better able + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Always used with 'better' or 'more' before 'able'. This sense compares the present situation with an earlier one where doing the same thing was harder.
3. showing real intelligence and skill in your work or studies
能幹；精明
聰明且擅長所做的事情
showing real intelligence and skill in your work or studies
Thabo is an able mechanic who can fix almost any engine problem.
Thabo 是個能幹的技工，幾乎任何引擎問題都難不倒他。
attributive use: able + noun
The committee needs several able researchers to lead the new project.
委員會需要幾位精明的研究員來主導新專案。
Yuki proved herself an able leader during the company's difficult merger.
Yuki 在公司艱難的合併期間證明自己是個能幹的領導者。
Omar's able handling of the crisis earned him the team's lasting respect.
Omar 對危機的能幹處理為他贏得了團隊持久的尊敬。
The school board appointed an able headteacher to improve student results.
學校董事會任命了一位精明的校長來提升學生成績。
- incompetent
lacking the basic ability to do a job or task
文法句型
able + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun. You cannot say 'She is able' to mean 'She is skilled' — in that position, 'able' is understood as sense 1 (capable of doing something).