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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
I was however able
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "I was however able" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that despite challenges or obstacles, you were still able to achieve something. Example: "The project faced numerous setbacks; I was however able to complete it on time."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Academia
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
9 human-written examples
I was, however, able to get student loans at good rates.
News & Media
I was, however, able to consistently tune in the Voice of America and the BBC with both of them, if not some more obscure broadcasters.
News & Media
I was, however, able to stop carrying my iPod and simply using the NV3 for music.
News & Media
I was, however, able to glean an understanding of the rule and its application by asking around.
News & Media
I was, however, able to force it to move out of tight spots as necessary and it never hung up irretrievably.
News & Media
I was, however, able to leave the house and go about 400 feet away from my access point and still maintain a strong connection.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
51 human-written examples
I am, however, able to cheer her courage today.
News & Media
I am, however, able to create an entire world through one captured moment of time".
News & Media
She was, however, able to continue working in a television soap opera, "The Guiding Light".
News & Media
Wenceslas was, however, able to retain the title of German king for the rest of his life.
Encyclopedias
He was, however, able to gain support.
Wiki
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "I was however able" to clearly indicate that despite a challenge or obstacle, you still achieved a specific outcome. It adds a layer of nuance by acknowledging the difficulty while highlighting your success.
Common error
Avoid placing "however" at the very end of the sentence. While grammatically permissible in some contexts, it can sound awkward and less impactful. For example, instead of "I completed the task, I was able however", use "I was, however, able to complete the task".
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "I was however able" functions as a connector and qualifier, linking a previous statement (often indicating a difficulty or obstacle) with a subsequent statement highlighting the ability to overcome that difficulty. As Ludwig AI's "aiResponseStatus" indicates, it is grammatically correct.
Frequent in
News & Media
66%
Academia
20%
Science
14%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "I was however able" is a grammatically sound and useful construction to express success despite facing challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Its usage is most common in news and media contexts, but it also appears in academic and scientific writing. While "however" can sometimes be misplaced, using it correctly after "was" adds a nuanced layer of meaning. Consider alternatives such as "nevertheless I could" or "yet I managed to" for variety. With a neutral tone, this phrase is suitable for professional communication and effectively conveys resilience and competence.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
With that said, I was still able to
Expresses a similar meaning but uses a slightly different introductory phrase.
Nonetheless, I was successful in
Emphasizes the achievement of success despite the previous situation.
Despite that, I could
Replaces "however able" with "could", emphasizing the ability achieved.
Yet, I managed to
Uses "yet" to contrast with the preceding situation and "managed to" to highlight the effort in achieving the action.
Nevertheless, I succeeded in
Emphasizes success despite the circumstances, replacing "able" with "succeeded in".
In spite of that, I was capable of
Highlights capability as the key outcome, replacing "able" with "capable of".
Still, I had the capacity to
Focuses on the inherent capacity to perform the action, with a slightly more formal tone.
Even so, I was in a position to
Indicates being in a favorable situation to act, despite an earlier challenge.
All the same, I was equipped to
Highlights preparedness or readiness to act.
That being said, I could still
Introduces a counterpoint while acknowledging the previous statement.
FAQs
How can I use "I was however able" in a sentence?
Use "I was however able" to show that you managed to do something despite a challenge or difficulty. For example: "The project faced many delays; I was however able to deliver it on time." This indicates that despite the delays, you still succeeded in delivering the project on schedule.
What are some alternatives to "I was however able"?
You can use alternatives such as "nevertheless I could", "yet I managed to", or "despite this I was able to" depending on the context. These phrases all convey a similar meaning of overcoming a challenge.
Is it grammatically correct to say "I was however able"?
Yes, "I was however able" is grammatically correct. The word "however" is used as a conjunctive adverb to show contrast or concession. It indicates that despite what was previously stated, you were still able to achieve something.
Where should "however" be placed in the sentence "I was however able"?
The placement of "however" in the sentence "I was however able" is flexible but commonly appears after "was". Other valid options include placing it between the auxiliary verb and the main verb: "I was, however, able to...". These variations are all grammatically sound and convey the same meaning.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested