able

USAGE SUMMARY

"able" is a perfectly valid and usable word in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe someone’s capability to do something, e.g. “She was able to complete the task quickly.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Scotland's 56 SNP MPs will certainly seek to amend the legislation to ensure that young people are able to take part in the vote".

The Guardian

Being able to live in a stable home is a basic human need, tied up with important feelings of choice and certainty, and we are living in a world now where only a few can hope for that, which cannot be right".

The Guardian - Business

Some nations may be able to turn a blind eye to atrocities in other countries.

The New York Times

And unless Labour is able to embrace a politics of aspiration and inclusion, a politics that defies some of the traditional labels that have dogged politics for so long, then it's not going to win".

The Guardian

I think parents should be able to teach their kids what their faith says, what science says.

The New York Times

We are the Canadian Forces, and our job is to be able to kill people".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Whether the Earth was created in 7 days, or 7 actual eras, I'm not sure we'll ever be able to answer that.

The New York Times

The palace source added: "It is the tradition now that after the general election the Queen is at Windsor until such a time as someone is able to form a new government.

The Guardian

We won't be able to provide Christmas lunch for the homeless now and about 50 people who were sleeping here will be homeless over Christmas.

The Guardian

He acknowledged that the no campaign needed to appeal to the heart as well as the head but argued the big question is what impact separation would have on family finances and whether Scottish people would be able to afford the NHS and pensions.

The Guardian

Another former staff member said: "The block system should have been clear before another craft is able to enter that section of the ride.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger synonyms like "capable" or "competent" if you want to emphasize a higher degree of skill or expertise.

Common error

Avoid using redundant modifiers with "able", such as "very able" or "quite able". The word already implies a sufficient level of capability, so additional emphasis is usually unnecessary and can sound awkward.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "able" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns or pronouns to describe the subject's capacity, competence, or permission to perform an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage aligns with standard English grammar.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0.3%

Academia

0.3%

Wiki

0.3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "able" functions primarily as an adjective to indicate capability, possibility, or suitability. As stated by Ludwig AI, it follows standard grammatical rules and is used frequently across a wide array of contexts. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources, as demonstrated by the numerous examples from The Guardian and The New York Times within Ludwig's database. While synonyms like "capable" and "competent" may sometimes be more appropriate to convey a higher degree of skill, "able" remains a versatile and widely accepted term for expressing capacity. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying what the subject is "able" to do and avoid redundant modifiers to maintain conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable

Indicates the general capacity to perform a task or function, similar to "able" but can imply a higher degree of skill.

competent

Emphasizes the possession of necessary skills and qualifications.

qualified

Suggests having the formal certifications or experience required for a specific role.

proficient

Highlights a high level of skill and expertise in a particular area.

apt

Implies a natural tendency or suitability for a particular task.

equipped

Indicates that someone has the necessary resources or tools.

empowered

Suggests having been given the authority or power to do something.

permitted

Focuses on having been granted permission to do something.

allowed

Similar to permitted, but can also imply a lack of prohibition.

in a position to

Expresses that someone is currently situated to be able to do something.

FAQs

How do you use "able" in a sentence?

"Able" is typically used as an adjective to describe someone's capacity or capability to do something. For example, "She is "able to complete" the task on time".

What can I say instead of "able"?

Depending on the specific context, you can use alternatives like "capable", "competent", or "qualified".

Is it correct to say "able to can"?

No, "able to can" is grammatically incorrect and redundant. The phrase "able to" already implies the capability to do something, so using "can" in addition is unnecessary.

What's the difference between "able" and "capable"?

While "able" and "capable" are often used interchangeably, "capable" tends to suggest a higher degree of skill or inherent potential than "able".