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We have the following two sentences:

We definitely are able to make something delicious.

And:

We definitely are able of making something delicious.

What's the difference between these two? I can only see that the first one sounds more informal and does not use the contracted verb (making). Can someone point me to the answer?

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  • The first is correct (although definitely would usually follow are). The second is wrong. It should read: .....are capable of...
    – Ronald Sole
    Commented Dec 26, 2020 at 15:36
  • Why exactly is it wrong? Is it just because I used able instead of capable?
    – Gndm28
    Commented Dec 26, 2020 at 16:31
  • Yes, it's not idiomatic. No native English speaker would use it.
    – Ronald Sole
    Commented Dec 26, 2020 at 23:18

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"capable is often used with "of" as can be seen in this definition, particularly sense three

having attributes (such as physical or mental power) required for performance or accomplishment

is capable of intense concentration

"able" just isn't used that wqay, as can be seen from this definition. However one could use "able" in a sentence such as:

We are definitely able to mak something delicious.

I don't know why "capable" can be used with an of-construct, but "able" can't. However, that is how the words are used in my experience and according to dictionaries.

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