able to regain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to regain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the capacity or capability to recover something that was lost or taken away. Example: "After the setback, she was determined to be able to regain her confidence and continue pursuing her goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was able to regain his composure.

The Washington Post

Both were able to regain altitude and land.

The New York Times

He had surgery, but was never able to regain weight.

The Guardian - Film

The damaged beams were able to regain its origin flexural capacity with 10 mm overlay.

Construction and Building Materials

With these strategies we will be able to regain the competitiveness of nuclear power.

Progress in Nuclear Energy

Only then will Myanmar be able to regain access to the world financial system.

The Economist

The devaluing economies were able to regain competitiveness and ensure that their economies continued to grow.

The New York Times

But at last this year they have been able to regain their residency status.

Independent

Both aircraft went into the water but were able to regain altitude and land.

The New York Times

Black is then able to regain his pawn but suffers from a clear positional disadvantage.

The Guardian - Sport

Q: Will you ever be able to regain the trust of the public?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "able to regain", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being regained and from what state or condition it was lost. This enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "able to regain" excessively in passive voice constructions. Active voice often provides a more direct and engaging sentence. For example, instead of "Control was able to be regained", try "They were able to regain control".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to regain" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, followed by an infinitive, describing the capacity or capability to recover something previously lost or taken away. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "able to regain" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe the capacity to recover something lost. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts, maintaining a generally neutral tone. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies what is being recovered. Alternatives like "capable of recovering" or "able to recover" can be used to add variety, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to recover

This option shortens "regain" to "recover", simplifying the phrase without significantly altering its meaning.

capable of recovering

This alternative uses "capable" instead of "able", emphasizing the inherent capacity to recover.

have the capacity to recoup

This alternative uses "capacity" instead of "able", focusing on the inherent ability. "Recoup" also implies recovering a loss.

in a position to reclaim

This alternative emphasizes the situation or status that allows for regaining something.

in a condition to retrieve

This alternative highlights the state or condition enabling the act of retrieving something.

have the potential to win back

This highlights the possibility of regaining something, focusing on future prospects.

have what it takes to get back

This phrase emphasizes the necessary qualities or resources for regaining something.

empowered to reacquire

This option highlights the authority or ability granted to regain something.

competent to repossess

This version suggests having the necessary skills or authority to regain possession.

eligible to reinstate

This alternative focuses on meeting the requirements or qualifications to regain something, especially a position or status.

FAQs

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

You can use "able to regain" to describe someone or something's capacity to recover something lost. For example, "After the injury, she was "able to regain" her strength".

What are some alternatives to "able to regain"?

Some alternatives include "capable of recovering", "able to recover", or "in a position to reclaim", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "able to regain back"?

No, saying "able to regain back" is redundant. The word "regain" already implies getting something back, so "back" is unnecessary. Just use ""able to regain"".

What's the difference between "able to regain" and "likely to regain"?

"Able to regain" indicates a proven or demonstrated capacity, whereas "likely to regain" suggests a high probability or expectation of recovering something.