able of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able of" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "capable of," which is used to indicate someone's ability to do something. Example: "She is capable of completing the project on time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is able, of course, to read quickly since this has long been his work.

The New Yorker

(The more able of us dash up and down the steep stone stairs with toast and juice).

The Guardian - Travel

Age is not a bar to leadership but declining health and vitality can diminish even the most able of people.

The Guardian - Opinion

Harold Meyerson, of the L.A. Weekly, calls him "the least charismatic and able of the state's Democratic leaders".

The New Yorker

So they have always picked what they saw as the most able of the working class to support their system".

The Guardian

"It was very difficult for us to realise that we are able of experiencing a feeling of satisfaction after such atrocity," he continued.

The Guardian

I knew him by reputation, from the Oz trial where the judge made the mistake of saying he was the least able of the three defendants.

The Guardian

The autopsy may not be able, of itself, to determine intent, whereas the scene and the circumstances may provide unmistakable evidence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These living systems are able of self-feeding, they take their energy for the environment and also, they are able of reproduction, adaptation and self-repairing.

IRBM

The scheme is able of evaluating various excitation forms including dynamic force and base excitation.

Composite Structures

We present a parallel architecture able of computing a wide range of wavelet packets.

Parallel Computing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "capable of" or "able to" instead of "able of" to ensure grammatical correctness in your writing.

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "able of" due to its similarity in sound and meaning to "capable of". Remember that "able" requires the infinitive form "to" (e.g., "able to run"), while "capable" is followed by "of" (e.g., "capable of running").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able of" functions incorrectly as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition. It aims to describe a state of being capable or having the ability to perform an action. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

22%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "able of" appears frequently across diverse sources, including scientific and news outlets, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms that "able of" is not standard English. The correct alternatives are "capable of" or "able to". To ensure clarity and grammatical precision, it's best to replace "able of" with one of these alternatives. The high occurrence of this error suggests it's a common mistake, so be vigilant in proofreading your work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of

Standard and grammatically correct way to express the ability to do something.

able to

A more common and widely accepted alternative to "able of".

competent to

Focuses on having the necessary skills or knowledge for a task.

proficient in

Emphasizes skill and expertise in a particular area.

adept at

Highlights natural skill and quickness in performing a task.

qualified to

Indicates having the formal qualifications or training for something.

equipped for

Suggests having the necessary tools or resources for a task.

fit for

Indicates suitability or appropriateness for a particular role or task.

prepared for

Focuses on readiness and anticipation of a future event or task.

up to

An informal way to suggest capability or willingness to do something.

FAQs

What is the correct way to express ability or capability?

The correct expressions are "capable of" or "able to". "Able of" is grammatically incorrect.

When should I use "capable of" instead of "able to"?

"Capable of" and "able to" are often interchangeable. However, "capable of" can sometimes imply a higher degree of skill or potential than "able to".

What are some alternatives to "capable of"?

Alternatives include "proficient in", "adept at", "competent in", or simply "able to" depending on the context.

Is "able of" ever correct in English?

No, "able of" is not considered correct in standard English. Always use "capable of" or "able to" instead.