able to converse with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to converse with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's capability to engage in conversation with another person or group. Example: "She is able to converse with people from different cultures, making her an excellent ambassador for our organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Intermediary is embodied in two domains: as a conversational agent, it is able to converse with caller and callee, mediating between them, and possibly suggesting modality crossovers; as an animatronic device, it uses socially strong non-verbal cues like gaze, posture, and gestures, to alert and notify the user and co-located people in a subtle but public way.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"And he was conscious and was able to converse with the people attending him.

The New York Times

Imagine living in the 1890's and being able to converse with Conan Doyle".

The New York Times - Books

He was able to converse with one patient by singing his questions and instructions.

The Guardian - Music

He is emotionally mute, and socially, too, and thus barely able to converse with Aïcha.

The New Yorker

"He was sitting up in bed and was able to converse with people," Mr. Baker said.

The New York Times

Upon admission, he said, he was able to converse with staff members.

The New York Times

Being able to converse with meaning about beauty is the essence of civilisation, separating leaders from bean-counters.

The Guardian

And I was able to converse with someone who was there with me," he says, with a nod to Burton.

The Guardian - Music

Hopeful that the next person you meet you will be able to converse with you in a respectful way.

The New York Times

Last year, a couple contacted him, sure that they were able to converse with the birds in their garden.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "able to converse with", consider the context. It implies more than just basic communication; it suggests a meaningful exchange of ideas or information. Choose this phrase when you want to emphasize the quality of the interaction.

Common error

While "converse" is a perfectly valid word, it can sound overly formal in casual settings. In everyday conversation, simpler alternatives like "talk to" or "chat with" are often more appropriate. Save "converse" for situations where a more sophisticated tone is desired.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to converse with" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's capability for engaging in conversation. Ludwig provides various examples where this phrase highlights the capacity for meaningful communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

18%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "able to converse with" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that signifies the capacity to engage in meaningful conversation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate to describe someone's ability to effectively communicate ideas and information. While simpler alternatives like "talk to" or "chat with" exist, "able to converse with" emphasizes a more sophisticated or in-depth exchange. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, this phrase carries a Neutral tone, making it suitable for various writing styles and purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of talking with

Replaces "converse" with the more common "talk", slightly altering the formality.

able to communicate with

Substitutes "converse" with "communicate", broadening the scope to include non-verbal methods.

skilled in dialogue with

Emphasizes skill level, indicating a proficiency in conversation.

proficient at speaking with

Highlights the proficiency in speaking, suggesting fluency or expertise.

adept at interacting with

Focuses on the interaction aspect, implying social skills in addition to verbal ability.

can hold a conversation with

Indicates the ability to maintain a discussion, implying a certain level of engagement.

equipped to discuss with

Suggests having the necessary knowledge or preparation for a discussion.

prepared to speak with

Highlights readiness to engage in conversation, often implying prior arrangement.

in a position to dialogue with

Indicates a formal or official capacity to engage in conversation.

authorized to negotiate with

Implies official permission or mandate to discuss specific terms or agreements.

FAQs

How can I use "able to converse with" in a sentence?

You can use "able to converse with" to describe someone's capacity to engage in meaningful conversation. For example, "She is "able to converse with" experts in various fields.".

What can I say instead of "able to converse with"?

You can use alternatives like "able to communicate with", "capable of talking with", or "skilled in dialogue with" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "able to converse with" or "able to converse to"?

"Able to converse with" is the correct phrasing. The preposition "with" indicates the reciprocal nature of conversation. "Able to converse to" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "able to converse with" and "able to talk with"?

While both phrases convey the ability to communicate, ""able to converse with"" suggests a more formal, in-depth, or intellectual exchange than "able to talk with", which is more general.