able to articulate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to articulate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's ability to express thoughts, ideas, or feelings clearly and effectively. Example: "She is able to articulate her thoughts during meetings, which greatly contributes to the team's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They probably aren't able to articulate it.

The New Yorker

None was able to articulate a sentence, express an idea.

The New York Times

No, it's just being able to articulate yourself better.

The New York Times - Arts

It matters whether he is able to articulate a program".

The New York Times

"He seems not quite able to articulate why he'd want to be mayor.

The New Yorker

He continued, "I feel I'm better able to articulate my thoughts.

The New Yorker

"You have to be able to articulate benefits to encourage take-up".

The Economist

The things you're able to articulate should leave you at least a little hollow.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I'm able to articulate a much larger vision for the company," he added.

The New York Times - Arts

Or of being able to articulate and confront it as mightily as this.

The New York Times - Books

Luckily for her, Mr. Schwartz was able to articulate what he wanted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "able to articulate" when you want to emphasize someone's capacity to express complex ideas or feelings in a clear and coherent manner.

Common error

Avoid using "able to articulate" in situations where simpler phrases like "can say" or "can explain" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to articulate" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating the capacity or ability to express something clearly and effectively. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's about expressing thoughts, ideas, or feelings clearly. The examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in diverse contexts, from personal identity to business strategy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "able to articulate" is a commonly used phrase that describes the capacity to express thoughts or ideas clearly and effectively. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage across diverse contexts like news, science, and business. While the phrase is appropriate for professional and neutral settings, overusing it in simple contexts should be avoided. Alternatives such as "capable of expressing" or "skilled in conveying" can be used depending on the desired nuance. With a high source quality score and expert rating, "able to articulate" is a valuable phrase for precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

articulate effectively

Focuses on the act of articulating with a successful outcome.

capable of expressing

Focuses on the inherent capacity to convey thoughts or feelings.

skilled in conveying

Highlights the proficiency in communicating information or ideas.

adept at communicating

Emphasizes the skillfulness in making thoughts and feelings known.

proficient in expressing

Indicates a high degree of competence in articulating oneself.

express clearly

Highlights the clarity of the expression.

communicate fluently

Emphasizes the ease and smoothness of communication.

good at explaining

Focuses on the ability to make something understandable.

apt to verbalize

Highlights the inclination and readiness to put thoughts into words.

competent in voicing

Indicates a sufficient skill level in expressing opinions or feelings.

FAQs

How can I use "able to articulate" in a sentence?

You can use "able to articulate" to describe someone's capacity to express their thoughts and feelings effectively, such as "She is "able to articulate her needs" clearly".

What are some alternatives to "able to articulate"?

Alternatives include "capable of expressing", "skilled in conveying", or "proficient in expressing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "able to articulate" or "articulate"?

Using just "articulate" as a verb emphasizes the action of expressing something clearly and effectively. "Able to articulate" describes the capability or potential to do so. The better choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the action or the capability.

What's the difference between "able to articulate" and "good at explaining"?

"Able to articulate" often implies a deeper level of clarity and coherence, especially with complex ideas or emotions. "Good at explaining" focuses more on making something understandable, which may not always require the same level of nuance or depth.