able to begin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to begin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating someone's capability or readiness to start a task or activity. Example: "Once we have all the necessary materials, we will be able to begin the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then, NASA will be able to begin its experiments.

The New York Times

"Many state companies will be able to begin operating again".

The New York Times

You will then be able to begin the course.

Columbia University

Students will then be able to begin a working outline.

Yale University

Only then will investigators be able to begin to look into the causes of the accident.

The New York Times

Only then will we be able to begin resuscitating the dream.

The New York Times

From there, I was really able to begin to start my story.

The New Yorker

She hopes to be able to begin a human trial next year.

The New York Times

"In several weeks, we will be able to begin to reduce our deployment".

The New York Times

After their arrival, trains were able to begin leaving Martinsburg on July 20.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Thanks to him, my family and I were able to begin new lives as Americans.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "able to begin" when you want to emphasize the capacity or readiness to initiate an action after a specific condition is met. For example, "Once the funding is approved, we will be "able to begin" the project."

Common error

Avoid using "able to begin" in excessively passive constructions. Instead of saying "The project is able to be begun by us", prefer the active form: "We are "able to begin" the project."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to begin" functions as a predicative adjective phrase that modifies a subject, indicating the subject's capability or readiness to initiate an action. This aligns with Ludwig AI, which identifies it as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "able to begin" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to denote the capacity or readiness to initiate an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to academic and professional settings. While "can begin" is often a more concise alternative, "able to begin" emphasizes the conditions or capabilities enabling the start. Overusing the passive voice with this phrase should be avoided for clarity and directness in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of starting

Focuses on the inherent capacity or skill to initiate something.

ready to commence

Emphasizes preparedness and formality in initiating an action.

prepared to initiate

Highlights the state of being fully ready to start something.

in a position to start

Indicates having the necessary circumstances or resources to begin.

eligible to commence

Highlights meeting the requirements or qualifications to begin.

have the capacity to start

Emphasizes the possession of the required ability or power.

empowered to initiate

Suggests being given the authority or means to begin.

authorized to begin

Implies having received official permission to start.

entitled to commence

Highlights having a right or justified claim to begin.

free to start

Indicates having no obstacles or restrictions preventing the start.

FAQs

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

You can use "able to begin" to indicate the capacity or readiness to start an activity. For example, "Once all the data is collected, the analysis team will be "able to begin" their work."

What are some alternatives to "able to begin"?

Alternatives include "capable of starting", "ready to commence", or "prepared to initiate", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "able to begin" or simply "can begin"?

"Able to begin" and "can begin" are often interchangeable, but "able to begin" can sometimes emphasize a specific condition or capability that enables the start. "Can begin" is generally more concise. Choose whichever sounds more natural in your sentence.

When is it inappropriate to use "able to begin"?

While generally versatile, "able to begin" might sound slightly awkward in very informal contexts where simpler phrasing like "can start" or "ready to go" would be more suitable.