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Preposition after adjective

Capable of or in?

Capable is normally followed by of before a noun or verb ending in -ing. Capable in is uncommon and usually refers to skill within a field or role.

Quick answer

Which preposition follows capable?

Use capable of for abilities, actions, or potential. Capable in appears mainly in formal contexts about competence within an area.

She is capable of leading the team.
The device is capable of storing large files.
He is capable in financial management.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
capable of + noun

Having ability or qualities

Use of before a noun to describe what someone or something can do.

The software is capable of complex analysis.
She is capable of independent work.
2
capable of + -ing form

Being able to perform an action

Use of before a verb ending in -ing.

He is capable of solving the problem quickly.
The child is capable of reading on her own.
3
capable in + field

Showing competence in an area

This formal pattern refers to skill within a profession or subject area.

She is highly capable in administrative work.
They proved capable in crisis management.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
capable of
She is capable of running the department.
able to do something; the standard pattern
capable in
He is capable in technical planning.
competent within a field; formal and less common
capable at
She is capable at chess.
less natural than good at or skilled at
capable with
He is capable with children.
possible in context, where with introduces the people or tools handled well

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using in before actions

Use of before verbs ending in -ing.

✕ She is capable in solving the issue. ✓ She is capable of solving the issue.

Using a bare infinitive

Capable is not followed directly by to + verb.

✕ He is capable to finish the work. ✓ He is capable of finishing the work.

Overusing capable in everyday English

In sounds formal and limited. Of is usually the natural choice.

✕ The machine is capable in processing data. ✓ The machine is capable of processing data.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The team is capable ___ winning the competition.
2. She is capable ___ research management.
3. The engine is capable ___ high speeds.

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Frequently asked questions

Is capable of always correct for abilities?

Yes. It is the standard pattern for abilities, actions, and potential.

Can I use capable in everyday conversation?

You can, but it sounds formal and is less common than capable of.

Can capable be followed by a verb?

Yes, but use a verb ending in -ing after of, such as capable of learning.

calm, in, calm, for, calm, about "candid about" or "candid in"? careful about, with, of, in or on? careless about, with, in, of or on? caribbean in, for, with, to or on? "catastrophic for" or "catastrophic to"? "cautious about" or "cautious in"? celtic in, for, on, at or to? central to, in, for, at or of? "certain of" or "certain about"? "challenging for" or "challenging of"? characteristic of, for, in or to?

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