able to lift

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to lift" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's physical capability to raise or elevate an object. Example: "He is able to lift heavy weights at the gym without any difficulty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She won't be able to lift it.

The New Yorker

The second night, she was able to lift her head.

The New York Times

The guards will never be able to lift them".

Independent

"I was happy I was able to lift it up".

The New York Times - Sports

He lay flat, barely able to lift his head.

The New York Times

"You have to be able to lift it," he said.

The New York Times

"I may be able to lift similar to Steve, but I can't do that," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

And, at least theoretically, poor African countries might be able to lift themselves out of poverty.

The New York Times

Doctors told me I'd never be able to lift a milk bottle.

The New York Times

But Paul Newman was able to lift it in time to save his case.

The New York Times

They are the model people that we want to be able to lift up".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's physical capabilities, use "able to lift" to clearly express their capacity to raise objects. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid replacing "able to lift" with unnecessarily complex alternatives when a simple, direct statement of ability is sufficient. Clarity enhances understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to lift" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating the subject's capacity or capability to perform the action of lifting. This can be inferred from the examples provided by Ludwig, where it frequently describes someone's physical strength or a machine's capacity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

21%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "able to lift" is a versatile and commonly used expression indicating the capacity or capability to raise or elevate something. According to Ludwig, this grammatically correct phrase appears frequently in news media, wikis, and scientific contexts, and maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse communication needs. While alternatives like "capable of lifting" or "can lift" exist, "able to lift" provides a clear and direct way to describe someone or something's lifting potential. It's essential to avoid overcomplicating the phrase with verbose alternatives and to ensure correct grammatical usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of lifting

Replaces "able" with its direct synonym "capable", maintaining the same meaning and grammatical structure.

can lift

Uses the modal verb "can" to express the ability to lift, offering a more concise alternative.

in a position to lift

Indicates the state or situation that allows lifting, adding a condition of readiness.

has the strength to lift

Focuses on the physical strength required for lifting, emphasizing the capability.

strong enough to lift

Highlights the necessary strength for the action, specifying a minimum requirement.

has the capacity to lift

Stresses the maximum amount or volume that can be lifted, quantifying the ability.

equipped to lift

Highlights the preparedness and resources available for lifting, focusing on readiness.

empowered to lift

Suggests the authority or permission to lift, shifting the focus from pure physical ability.

permitted to lift

Emphasizes the allowance or authorization to lift, indicating a formal consent.

authorized to lift

Similar to 'permitted to lift' but with a stronger connotation of official approval.

FAQs

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

You can use "able to lift" to describe someone's physical capacity. For example, "She is "able to lift" heavy boxes" or "He wasn't "able to lift" the car."

What are some alternatives to "able to lift"?

Alternatives include "capable of lifting", "can lift", or "strong enough to lift", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "able to lifted"?

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

What is the difference between "able to lift" and "allowed to lift"?

"Able to lift" refers to the physical capability to raise something, while "allowed to lift" indicates permission or authorization to do so. They describe different aspects: ability versus permission.