Discussion
In the sentence below, a part is printed in bold. Choose the alternative that best replaces it. If no improvement is needed, choose ‘No correction required’.
He is not capable to handle such a difficult assignment.
Answer: D
Correct answer: of handling
Capable takes the preposition of followed by a gerund: capable of handling. It is never followed by an infinitive. The word it is confused with is able, which takes the infinitive: able to handle. The two mean much the same thing but require different constructions, and either sentence would be correct if the adjective were changed to match. A number of adjectives take of plus a gerund in the same way: afraid of failing, fond of reading, proud of winning, tired of waiting, ashamed of lying, desirous of joining and confident of succeeding. The general principle is that a preposition is always followed by a gerund, never by an infinitive - which is why to handling is wrong in a different way, treating the infinitive marker to as though it were a preposition.
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