able to deduce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to deduce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's capacity to draw conclusions or infer information from available evidence or reasoning. Example: "After analyzing the data, she was able to deduce the underlying trends that influenced the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they were not able to deduce what exactly they had produced.

The New York Times - Science

Smart means that all pirates are able to deduce the logical consequences of any proposal.

The New York Times

He was able to deduce that the music was from King Stephen, incidental music for a theatre piece.

The Guardian - Music

Since if he had a 1, he would be able to deduce nothing about what Balthazar has.

The Guardian

By determining which cells changed their DNA sequence, they would be able to deduce which cells received the signal.

Harvard University

By modeling the seismic waveforms, the researchers were able to deduce the style of faulting responsible for the earthquakes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We are then able to deduce optimal control tree structures (optimal number of repair servers), and generic dimensioning rules.

Teletraffic Science and Engineering

In forensic casework it is highly relevant to be able to deduce the species origin of an unknown biological sample.

Forensic Science International

From the sequences of the genes, we are able to deduce a biosynthetic pathway for the emericellamides.

Chemistry & Biology

An algorithm that is able to deduce the topological relationship among different structural elements has been proposed in this paper.

Automation in Construction

By analyzing the pattern of neutrons bouncing off the material, scientists are able to deduce the positions of atoms in the material.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "able to deduce" when you want to emphasize the process of reasoning and drawing conclusions based on evidence or logical inference.

Common error

Avoid using "able to deduce" in situations where simpler verbs like "understand" or "find out" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound unnatural or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to deduce" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing the capacity or ability to arrive at a conclusion through reasoning. As Ludwig shows, it commonly follows auxiliary verbs or appears in contexts describing someone's skills.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

39%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "able to deduce" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that signifies the capacity to reach conclusions through logical reasoning. As Ludwig confirms, it's common in science, news, and academic writing, but less frequent in more informal settings. It conveys the ability to infer information, and should not be overused in simple contexts where "understand" or "find out" would suffice. Consider the available alternatives, such as "capable of deducing" or "able to infer", depending on the specific context. The phrase's formality makes it especially suitable for expressing analytical competence in scholarly or professional environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of deducing

Replaces "able" with "capable", emphasizing inherent ability.

able to infer

Substitutes "deduce" with "infer", which carries a similar but slightly broader meaning.

able to conclude

Replaces "deduce" with "conclude", focusing on reaching a definitive judgment.

in a position to deduce

Adds a sense of circumstance or readiness to the ability.

equipped to deduce

Emphasizes having the necessary tools or knowledge to deduce.

able to reason

Shifts the focus to the underlying reasoning process involved.

able to figure out

Offers a more informal alternative to "deduce".

in a state to deduce

Highlights the condition or preparedness for deduction.

competent to deduce

Stresses the adequacy of skills to perform the deduction.

have the capacity to deduce

Emphasizes the inherent potential or power to deduce.

FAQs

What does "able to deduce" mean?

The phrase "able to deduce" means having the capacity to arrive at a conclusion by reasoning; to infer from a general principle or premise.

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

You can use "able to deduce" to describe someone's capacity to draw conclusions from available evidence, such as "After reviewing the financial statements, the accountant was "able to deduce" the company's profitability."

What are some alternatives to "able to deduce"?

Alternatives to "able to deduce" include "able to infer", "able to conclude", or "capable of deducing", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "able to deduce" formal or informal language?

"Able to deduce" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "figure out" or "understand". It is suitable for academic, professional, or technical contexts.