able to overcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to overcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's capacity or capability to conquer challenges or difficulties. Example: "With determination and hard work, she was able to overcome the obstacles in her path."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

-Were they able to overcome the challenges?

The New York Times

"But we have not been able to overcome their suspicions".

The New York Times

But he was able to overcome his fear.

The New York Times

However, successful companies seem able to overcome similar problems decisively.

The Guardian

We have to be able to overcome this.

The New York Times - Sports

But we've always been able to overcome that".

The New York Times - Sports

Working together we will be able to overcome this challenge".

Independent

But Exubera was not able to overcome questions about its safety, efficacy, convenience and cost.

The New York Times

"I don't think this is a problem we won't be able to overcome".

The New York Times

We were able to overcome something that was thrown at us".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's beautiful, fiercely independent, able to overcome obstacles, and closely identified with the American dream.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "able to overcome" when you want to emphasize the capacity to successfully deal with and move past obstacles. It highlights resilience and capability.

Common error

Avoid using "able to overcome" when the challenge was minimal or easily resolved. Overusing the phrase in trivial situations weakens its impact when describing significant achievements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to overcome" functions as a verb phrase expressing the capacity or capability to successfully deal with and conquer difficulties. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "able to overcome" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that communicates the capacity to conquer challenges. According to Ludwig, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and business writing. While versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse in trivial situations. Related phrases include "capable of surmounting" and "equipped to handle", offering alternative ways to express resilience. Ludwig's examples highlight the phrase's consistent use across diverse domains, confirming its reliability in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of surmounting

Replaces "able" with "capable" and "overcome" with "surmounting", slightly altering the tone.

in a position to conquer

Uses "in a position" to indicate readiness and "conquer" to emphasize overcoming.

prepared to tackle

Highlights readiness and the act of addressing a challenge head-on.

equipped to handle

Focuses on preparedness and managing a situation, rather than directly overcoming.

strong enough to withstand

Emphasizes resilience and the ability to endure difficulties.

resilient enough to rise above

Highlights bouncing back from difficulties and achieving a higher state.

has the strength to defeat

Focuses on inner power and conquering something.

can successfully navigate

Emphasizes skillful maneuvering through complex situations.

has what it takes to prevail

Focuses on possessing the necessary qualities to succeed.

can manage to get through

Conveys successfully completing a challenging situation with significant difficulty.

FAQs

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

Use "able to overcome" to describe someone's capacity to conquer difficulties, such as: "Despite the setbacks, she was "able to overcome" all obstacles and achieve her goals."

What are some alternatives to "able to overcome"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "capable of surmounting", "equipped to handle", or "prepared to tackle".

Is it better to say "able to overcome" or "capable of overcoming"?

Both "able to overcome" and "capable of overcoming" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on the desired tone and rhythm of the sentence.

What does it mean to be "able to overcome" something?

To be "able to overcome" something means you have the strength, skills, or resources necessary to successfully deal with and move past a challenge, problem, or obstacle.