able to relax

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to relax" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's capacity or ability to achieve a state of relaxation. Example: "After a long week at work, I finally felt able to relax and enjoy my weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"No one will be able to relax.

The New York Times

He should be able to relax in the future.

The New York Times - Sports

I was able to relax and make my pitches".

The New York Times - Sports

"This is the time when I'm finally able to relax.

Independent

"I haven't been able to relax in years.

The Guardian

It was really nice to be able to relax.

The New York Times

But, I suspect, he is never able to relax.

The Guardian

But once today started, I was able to relax".

The New York Times - Sports

He would be able to relax in a comfortable setting.

The New York Times - Magazine

Truth was, he had never been able to relax.

The New York Times - Sports

Another common hypothesis we are able to relax here is the continuity of the optimal controls.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "able to relax" when emphasizing the capacity or opportunity to achieve a state of relaxation, especially after a period of stress or activity. For example: "After finishing the project, I was finally able to relax."

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences that obscure who is enabling the relaxation. Instead of saying, "Relaxation was able to be achieved", specify who was able to relax. This makes your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "able to relax" is as a predicate adjective phrase. It modifies a subject by describing its capacity or condition to achieve a state of relaxation. This phrase is commonly used to indicate relief or freedom from stress, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

17%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "able to relax" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to describe someone's capacity or opportunity to achieve a state of relaxation. It's versatile, fitting various contexts from news articles and academic papers to casual conversations and wiki pages. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and readily usable. When using the phrase, consider alternatives like "capable of relaxing" or "ready to unwind" for variety, and avoid using passive voice constructions that obscure the subject. Remember that the phrase is neutral, appropriate for formal and informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of relaxing

Replaces "able" with "capable", maintaining similar meaning but emphasizing potential.

in a position to unwind

Substitutes "relax" with "unwind" and frames it as a condition or state.

prepared to de-stress

Uses "de-stress" instead of "relax", focusing on stress reduction.

ready to loosen up

Replaces "relax" with "loosen up", suggesting a reduction in tension.

free to take it easy

Emphasizes freedom and ease, offering a more casual alternative.

at liberty to chill out

Uses "chill out" for a more informal tone, highlighting leisure.

in a state of repose

Presents a more formal and sophisticated alternative.

can find tranquility

Focuses on finding a peaceful state, slightly altering the emphasis.

permitted to unwind

Highlights permission or allowance to relax, shifting the focus.

eligible to find serenity

Emphasizes the eligibility or qualification for achieving serenity.

FAQs

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

You can use "able to relax" to describe someone's capability to unwind or de-stress. For instance, "After the exam, students were finally able to relax and enjoy their break".

What are some alternatives to "able to relax"?

Alternatives include "capable of relaxing", "ready to unwind", or "free to chill out", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "able to relax" or "can relax"?

Both "able to relax" and "can relax" are grammatically correct, but "able to relax" often implies a newfound capability or permission, while "can relax" generally refers to a general ability.

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

"Able to relax" indicates the capacity or capability, while "allowed to relax" implies permission or authorization. The former focuses on internal ability, whereas the latter highlights external allowance.