qualified
Definitions
Having the skills, training, or credentials needed for a job or task
有资格的；合格的；胜任的
Limited or restricted in some way; not complete or absolute
有保留的；有条件限制的；不完全的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedqual (of what kind) + -ify (to make) + -ed = 'made into a certain kind.' Applied to a person, being made the right kind = competent, certified. But 'specifying what kind' also means 'setting limits,' so applied to a statement, qualified = limited by conditions (qualified support). One root, two directions: people are made fit; opinions are hedged.
Root qual still carries 4 more wordsWhy It Means This
Qualified hides two nearly opposite ideas under one spelling. To qualify a person is to make them the right kind for a role, so qualified means competent and certified — a qualified electrician. But to qualify a statement is to attach conditions to it (saying which kind of statement it is), so qualified also means hedged or limited — qualified support is support with strings attached. The trick is grammatical context: people are qualified for things; statements and feelings are qualified by conditions.
Usage Guide
- Competent (people): 'a qualified doctor / highly qualified candidate' — common, neutral-positive
- Hedged (statements, abstract nouns): 'qualified support / qualified approval / a qualified yes' — formal; signals reservations
- Watch the pattern: qualified for a job (competence) vs qualified approval (limitation). The collocate after it tells you which sense is meant.
Example Sentences
- 1.
She is highly qualified for the position of head nurse.
- 2.
Only qualified electricians should handle this wiring.
- 3.
The committee gave the plan only qualified support.
- 4.
His answer was a qualified yes, with several conditions attached.
Easily Confused
Qualified vs unqualified: in the 'competence' sense they are simple opposites (qualified = able, unqualified = not able). In the 'conditions' sense they flip: qualified = limited (qualified support), but unqualified = unlimited / absolute (unqualified success). So with feelings and praise, unqualified is actually the stronger, more positive word.