able to experience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to experience" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the capability of someone or something to have a certain experience. For example, "The author was able to experience a wide range of emotions while writing the book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The public ought to be able to experience it".

The Guardian

I'm just glad I was able to experience it.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm finally able to experience what you were talking about".

The New York Times

And that was because I was able to experience him.

The New York Times - Arts

Now we'll be able to experience it for ourselves.

Independent

However, not everyone seems to be able to experience it.

University of California, Berkeley

It was also frustrating, because I might not ever be able to experience them again.

The New York Times

What matters a lot more is that everybody is able to experience it".

The Guardian - Tech

According to Andrew, Peter Greste had barely been able to experience Egypt before his arrest.

The Guardian

They want to be able to experience it after they leave.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

You ought to be able to experience this in a completely different manner".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "able to experience" when you want to emphasize the possibility or capacity of someone or something to undergo a specific event or sensation. For example, "After the surgery, she was finally able to experience relief from the chronic pain."

Common error

Avoid using "able to experience" with abstract nouns where a more direct verb would be more concise. For instance, instead of saying "They were able to experience disappointment", consider "They felt disappointed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to experience" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating the capacity or possibility to undergo a particular event or sensation. Ludwig showcases various contexts where this phrase is used to express potential or realized opportunities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "able to experience" is a versatile expression used to denote the capacity or opportunity to undergo a particular event or sensation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and finds frequent use across diverse contexts such as news media, academic writing, and general communication. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's important to consider more direct verb choices for conciseness. For example, instead of saying "They were able to experience disappointment", consider "They felt disappointed". Remember to use the alternatives to the phrase to enrich your language and make it more interesting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of experiencing

Replaces "able" with its synonym "capable", maintaining the core meaning but with a slightly more formal tone.

have the capacity to experience

Highlights the inherent potential or ability to undergo the experience.

in a position to experience

Shifts the focus to the situation allowing the experience, rather than inherent ability.

have the opportunity to experience

Emphasizes the availability of a chance or occasion to undergo the experience.

be able to undergo

Substitutes "experience" with "undergo", offering a more clinical or detached tone.

get to experience

Uses a more informal and colloquial way to express the chance to experience something.

be privileged to experience

Highlights the special or fortunate nature of the experience.

find oneself experiencing

Adds a sense of spontaneity or unexpectedness to the act of experiencing.

manage to experience

Conveys a sense of effort or overcoming obstacles in order to have the experience.

be exposed to

Implies a passive reception of the experience, rather than active participation.

FAQs

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

Use "able to experience" to indicate someone has the opportunity or capability to undergo something. For example, "Thanks to the new technology, users are now able to experience virtual reality at home".

What are some alternatives to "able to experience"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "capable of experiencing", "have the opportunity to experience", or "get to experience".

Is there a difference between "able to experience" and "had the experience of"?

"Able to experience" implies a potential or opportunity, while "had the experience of" indicates that the event actually occurred. For example, "He was able to experience the thrill of skydiving" suggests he had the chance, whereas "He had the experience of skydiving" means he did it.

When should I avoid using "able to experience"?

Avoid using "able to experience" when simpler verbs like "feel", "see", or "hear" are more appropriate and concise. For example, instead of "She was able to experience sadness", you could say "She felt sad".