able to be there

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to be there" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing someone's availability or capability to attend an event or be present in a specific location. Example: "I hope you are able to be there for the meeting tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"If he's able to be there, it's awesome.

The New York Times - Sports

We just pray that she'll be able to be there".

The New York Times - Sports

I was able to be there for my grandparents.

Independent

"The hardest thing was not being able to be there," he said.

The New York Times

I'm really pumped to be able to be there and to celebrate alongside everyone".

The Guardian - Sport

It was very special to be able to be there with him.

The Guardian - Sport

These young graduates who are chalking up parliamentary experience are presumably able to be there because they are parent-funded.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was very fortunate to have been able to be there with him and his family in the last days.

The Guardian - Sport

The devices also let attendees show off their presence to those not able to be there in person.

The New York Times - Tech

Having been away for so much of his adolescence, he was "delighted to be able to be there.

The Guardian

Nothing ever costs much more than €5 and it always feels a real privilege to be able to be there.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider replacing "able to be there" with shorter alternatives like "able to attend" or "available" to improve conciseness, depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "able to be there" in overly passive constructions. Instead of saying "Arrangements were made so that he was able to be there", opt for the more direct "Arrangements allowed him to be there."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to be there" functions as an adjectival phrase describing a person's capacity or possibility of being present at a particular place or event. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "able to be there" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing the capability or possibility of being present at a specific place or event. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While versatile, consider context-appropriate alternatives such as ""capable of being present"" for formal situations, or ""able to make it"" for informal ones. Avoiding passive constructions enhances clarity. With its clear communicative function, "able to be there" remains a valuable asset in expressing presence and availability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of being present

Replaces "able" with "capable" and "there" with "present", maintaining the meaning.

able to attend

Shortened form focusing on the ability to attend.

available to attend

Focuses on availability for attendance, simplifying the original phrase.

in a position to be there

Emphasizes the circumstances that allow presence.

free to be present

Highlights the lack of constraints preventing presence.

in a situation to be present

Highlights the condition or situation that makes presence possible.

able to make it

A more informal way of saying "able to be there", implying effort or overcoming obstacles.

eligible to be there

Suggests that certain criteria are met to allow presence.

in attendance

Implies presence; a more concise alternative.

in readiness to attend

Emphasizes preparedness and willingness to attend.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "able to be there" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using "capable of being present" or "in a position to attend". These options add a level of sophistication suitable for professional communication.

What are some informal alternatives to "able to be there"?

In casual conversation, you can use "able to make it" or simply "can attend". These alternatives are more relaxed and suitable for everyday interactions.

When is it better to use "available to be there" instead of "able to be there"?

"Available to be there" emphasizes having the time and resources, while "able to be there" focuses on the capacity or capability. Use "available" when time or resources are the main consideration.

Is "able to be there" grammatically correct?

Yes, "able to be there" is grammatically correct. It uses the adjective "able" followed by the infinitive "to be" and the adverb "there" to indicate the capability of being present in a specific location.