able to mention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to mention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating someone's capability to refer to or bring up a specific topic or detail. Example: "She was able to mention several key points during the meeting that highlighted our progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But not being able to mention where the wine is from in the marketing material or online is ridiculous.

Independent

We never used to be able to mention the old clause IV in case someone accused us of being Trotskyist.

The Guardian

When I went on stage, I was able to mention this guy and tell his story rather than mine.

The Guardian - Music

John was at first sceptical as to why he was not able to mention the gig on his website.

The Guardian - Music

An excellent book I wasn't able to mention in my piece was Sandra Gilbert's "Death's Door: Modern Dying and the Ways We Grieve".

The New Yorker

"That was the tipping point for my CV," she says, as she was able to mention her experience on job applications and at interview.

Independent

Can you imagine what that means?" "If I was Armenian, people wouldn't be able to mention the genocide around me," Ayhan said.

The New Yorker

You might have thought that in a thousand words (so far), I'd have been able to mention all the worthwhile Mason films.

The Guardian - Film

What's more, if this resulted in a dispute at an employment tribunal, the employee wouldn't be able to mention that the employer had done this.

The Guardian - Opinion

I cannot imagine today being able to mention coal without anybody pointing out that it might be better to leave it where it is, jobs or no jobs.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is so much other great art showing here — more than 30 works — that it seems a shame not to be able to mention every artist individually.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "able to mention", ensure it clearly indicates the capacity or permission to refer to a specific topic or detail. Clarity in context avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "able to mention" repeatedly within long, convoluted sentences. Simplify your writing by rephrasing or breaking down complex ideas into shorter, more digestible statements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to mention" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied or stated subject, indicating the capability or permissibility to refer to something. Ludwig examples show its use across various contexts to express this ability or right.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "able to mention" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the capacity, permission, or right to refer to something specific. According to Ludwig, this phrase is used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. When writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is "able to mention" to avoid ambiguity. While the phrase is generally acceptable in formal and informal settings, overusing it in complex sentences can lead to wordiness. Alternatives like "capable of mentioning" or "permitted to mention" can provide subtle differences in meaning, offering greater precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of mentioning

Emphasizes inherent capacity or skill in mentioning something.

in a position to mention

Highlights the circumstances or situation that allows mentioning something.

permitted to mention

Focuses on the allowance or authorization to mention something.

allowed to bring up

Indicates the freedom to introduce a topic or detail.

free to discuss

Highlights the liberty to talk about something openly.

entitled to refer to

Emphasizes a right or justification to mention something.

authorized to disclose

Focuses on the official permission to reveal information.

eligible to cite

Indicates qualification or suitability to mention something as evidence.

at liberty to divulge

Stresses the freedom to reveal confidential information.

empowered to communicate

Highlights the granted power or authority to mention or share something.

FAQs

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

Use "able to mention" to indicate the capacity or permission to refer to something specific. For example, "She was "able to mention" several key points during the presentation".

What phrases are similar to "able to mention"?

Alternatives include "capable of mentioning", "in a position to mention", or "permitted to mention", each offering slightly different nuances.

Is it better to use "able to mention" or "allowed to mention"?

Both phrases are correct, but "allowed to mention" emphasizes permission, while "able to mention" focuses more on capability. The best choice depends on the context.

When should I avoid using "able to mention"?

Avoid overusing "able to mention" in overly complex sentences. Consider using simpler alternatives or restructuring your sentence for clarity.