able to check

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to check" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating someone's capability or permission to verify or examine something. Example: "I am now able to check the status of my application online."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

By 3pm you are able to check into your accommodation.

Independent

Normally, he'd be able to check the results instantly.

Independent

We'll be able to check the entire genome".

The New York Times

While I still can, I want to be able to check myself out.

The New York Times - Health

It will even be able to check the traffic and give directions.

The New York Times

If you want to be able to check out the world for yourself, get a camera.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By afternoon, they were back, feeling lucky to be able to check back in.

The New York Times

The computer should be able to check that the card had not been revoked.

The New York Times

There was no control group, and I was not able to check medical records.

The New York Times - Magazine

We'll be able to check in once a day, maybe twice.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"You want to be able to check off every single box before selecting a player.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the object of the check is clearly defined immediately after the phrase to maintain sentence clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "able to check" when you exclusively mean that someone has the legal right to do something; in those specific cases, "authorized to" or "permitted to" is more precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to check" operates as an adjective phrase followed by a to-infinitive. It modifies the subject of the sentence to indicate a state of capability. According to Ludwig, it often functions as a periphrastic modal, providing a more formal alternative to the modal verb 'can'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "able to check" is a robust and grammatically correct expression used to denote capability or permission. Data from Ludwig AI shows that it is extremely prevalent in News & Media and Science, appearing in 59 high-quality examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. It is a versatile phrase that works well in both technical contexts (e.g. "the computer is "able to check" the results") and everyday situations (e.g. "I was "able to check" into my hotel early"). Writers can use it with confidence to convey a sense of achieved possibility or structural functionality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of checking

uses a gerund construction to emphasize an inherent skill or system capacity

can verify

more concise and focuses on the action of confirming truth or accuracy

permitted to inspect

shifts the focus from physical ability to formal authorization or permission

in a position to review

implies that the circumstances or status of the subject allow for the check to happen

available to examine

emphasizes the presence or readiness of the subject to perform the verification

allowed to monitor

suggests an ongoing process of checking rather than a single event

empowered to validate

much more formal and implies a legal or administrative right to confirm data

free to investigate

highlights the lack of restrictions preventing the check from occurring

ready to assess

focuses on the preparedness of the subject to evaluate what is being checked

authorized to audit

specifically refers to official or financial checks within a formal hierarchy

FAQs

How do I use "able to check" in a sentence?

It is typically used after a linking verb. For example: "The technician was "able to check the server" status remotely".

What is the difference between "able to check" and "can check"?

While often interchangeable, "able to check" is slightly more formal and often implies that a previous obstacle has been overcome, whereas "can check" is more direct and general.

What can I say instead of "able to check"?

You can use alternatives like "capable of verifying", "in a position to inspect" or "prepared to examine" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "able to check" formal enough for a business report?

Yes, it is perfectly appropriate. It is frequently found in professional contexts such as "able to check compliance" or verifying data results.