able to purchase

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to purchase" is correct and commonly used in written English.
Example: I am able to purchase the item tomorrow if it is still available.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We will be allowed and able to purchase insurance.

Independent

We were able to purchase the domain name mns.com.

The New York Times

A. Being able to purchase is only one level.

The New York Times

He should not have been able to purchase the gun.

The Guardian

But consumers will soon be able to purchase lightweight fuel cells, too.

The Economist

"Our clients are finding they aren't able to purchase food like they used to".

Independent

Poles were able to purchase shares in these funds at a nominal price.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By 1900 Ochs was able to purchase a controlling interest in The New York Times.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Customers needing more space will be able to purchase additional storage in yearly chunks.

The New York Times

Would I be able to purchase any food other than tofu, yoghurt or muesli?

Independent

I was able to purchase much from my former employer at a very reasonable price.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "able to purchase" when you want to emphasize the capacity or possibility of buying something, whether it's due to financial means, legal permissions, or other enabling factors.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "able to purchase" can sometimes sound slightly less sophisticated than alternatives like "eligible to buy" or "in a position to acquire" in very formal writing. Consider the specific tone you want to achieve.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to purchase" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically acting as an adjective to describe a noun or pronoun, indicating the capability or possibility of buying something. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "able to purchase" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the capability or possibility of buying something. As evidenced by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, wiki and scientific contexts, and to a lesser extent in formal business and encyclopedia sources. While versatile, it's important to consider the specific tone and context, as more formal alternatives might be preferred in certain situations. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the expression, ensuring its reliability for usage in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of buying

Replaces "able to" with "capable of", maintaining the meaning of having the ability.

in a position to buy

Emphasizes the circumstances that allow someone to make a purchase.

have the means to acquire

Highlights the financial resources necessary for purchasing.

eligible to buy

Focuses on meeting the requirements to make a purchase.

have the opportunity to purchase

Stresses the availability of a chance to buy.

can afford to buy

Specifically addresses the affordability aspect of purchasing.

empowered to purchase

Highlights the agency and enabling factors in making a purchase.

entitled to purchase

Suggests a right or permission to buy.

authorized to buy

Implies official permission or approval for purchasing.

free to purchase

Indicates no restrictions preventing the purchase.

FAQs

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

You can use "able to purchase" to indicate the capacity or opportunity to buy something. For example, "Thanks to the new policy, more families are "able to purchase" homes."

What's the difference between "able to purchase" and "allowed to purchase"?

"Able to purchase" implies having the capacity or means to buy something, while "allowed to purchase" suggests having permission. You might be "able to purchase" a car because you have the money, but you need to be "allowed to purchase" alcohol because you meet the legal drinking age.

What can I say instead of "able to purchase"?

Alternatives include "capable of buying", "eligible to buy", or "in a position to buy", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "able to purchase" formal or informal?

"Able to purchase" is generally considered neutral in tone and suitable for a variety of contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in very formal writing.