I was capable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was capable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you had the ability or skill to do something in the past. Example: "During my internship, I was capable of handling multiple projects simultaneously and meeting tight deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I had doubts whether I was capable of doing the job," he said last year.

The Guardian - Sport

"I knew what I was capable of.

The New York Times - Sports

More than I was capable of.

The New York Times - Arts

"I ran what I thought I was capable of.

The New York Times - Sports

The regime was following capable people and I was capable.

The Economist

"I knew last night I was capable of winning it.

Independent

I knew that I was capable of the same thing".

The New York Times

I was murderous, and I was capable of great love.

The Guardian - Books

I don't think I was capable of answering.

The Guardian - Opinion

I knew my abilities, what I was capable of doing.

The New York Times - Sports

"I didn't know if I was capable of that.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past actions, use "I was capable of" followed by a verb in the gerund form (e.g., "I was capable of handling the pressure") to clearly indicate what you were able to do.

Common error

Avoid overstating your capabilities. Instead of saying "I was capable of anything", be specific about what you could achieve. For example, use "I was capable of managing the project successfully" to provide a clearer and more credible statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was capable" functions as a statement of past ability or potential. It indicates that the speaker possessed the necessary skills, knowledge, or qualities to perform a specific action or achieve a certain outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was capable" effectively conveys past ability or potential across diverse contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, be mindful of the surrounding vocabulary to maintain consistency in tone. Remember to use "I was capable of" followed by a gerund. The numerous examples found by Ludwig highlight its versatility in expressing past competence and confidence, with a primary prevalence in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was able to

A more general way of stating past ability.

I could

A simple and direct way to express past ability.

I had the ability

Focuses more directly on possessing the skill or power to do something.

I was competent

Emphasizes having the necessary skills or knowledge.

I was up to

Suggests being in a suitable condition or state for something.

I was equal to

Implies being up to a certain task or challenge.

I was efficient

Implies a high degree of skill and effectiveness.

I had what it takes

An idiomatic expression suggesting the necessary qualities for success.

I was fitted

Expresses being well-suited or equipped for a task or role.

I possessed the aptitude

Highlights a natural talent or inclination.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I was capable"?

You can use alternatives like "I was able to", "I had the ability", or "I was competent" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I was capable to"?

No, the correct form is "I was capable of" followed by a gerund (verb + -ing). For example, "I was capable of learning quickly" is correct.

What does "I was capable of" imply?

It implies that you possessed the necessary skills, knowledge, or qualities to perform a specific task or achieve a certain outcome in the past.

How formal is the phrase "I was capable"?

The phrase is relatively neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal settings. Its formality depends more on the surrounding context and vocabulary.