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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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able to finish

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to finish" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate someone's capability to complete a task or activity. Example: "She was confident that she was able to finish the project before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fields was able to finish in 1 03.033.

News & Media

The New York Times

Thanks to him, I was able to finish.

"We haven't been able to finish them off," Gardenhire said.

News & Media

The New York Times

But it was disappointing not being able to finish".

But I wasn't able to finish the match.

Will he even be able to finish the match?

I'd like to be able to finish that".

But she wouldn't be able to finish the season.

News & Media

The New York Times

Then I was able to finish the book!

But he was able to finish his induction speech.

News & Media

The New York Times

And I was able to finish my lawn.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "able to finish", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being finished. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "able to finish" in overly complex sentences where simpler phrasing would improve readability. In complex sentences, consider using a single verb to express the idea of completion for better clarity.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to finish" functions as an infinitive phrase, indicating the capacity or possibility of completing an action. It combines the adjective "able" with the infinitive verb "to finish". As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

17%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "able to finish" is a grammatically sound and versatile infinitive phrase used to express the capacity or possibility of completing an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts. It is most frequently found in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Science". When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being finished for clarity. While it's generally acceptable, avoid overuse in overly complex sentences where simpler phrasing would improve readability.

FAQs

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

Use "able to finish" to indicate the capacity or possibility of completing an action or task. For example, "She was "able to finish" the race despite her injury."

What are some alternatives to "able to finish"?

You can use alternatives like "capable of completing", "able to complete", or "managed to finish" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "able to finished"?

No, "able to finished" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""able to finish"", where "finish" is the base form of the verb.

What's the difference between "able to finish" and "managed to finish"?

"Able to finish" indicates the general capacity or possibility, while "managed to finish" suggests that the completion was achieved despite some difficulty or challenge.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: