able to resist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to resist" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's capacity to withstand temptation, pressure, or an adverse situation. Example: "She was able to resist the urge to eat dessert despite her cravings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But will he be able to resist?

The Economist

But it was able to resist.

The New York Times

Smokers felt less able to resist.

The Washington Post

Therefore, those least able to resist wage theft become victims.

Stanford University

But Dr. Watson was able to resist many changes.

The New York Times - Science

Aged mice were also able to resist infection.

Biologicals

Few artists would have been able to resist such flattery.

The New Yorker

And men have never been able to resist its challenge.

The Guardian

Some children were able to resist, but others weren't.

The New York Times

I haven't been able to resist guilty feelings over Patrick.

The New York Times - Magazine

But it is not likely to be able to resist.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "able to resist", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being resisted and the source or nature of the resistance. This enhances clarity and provides a stronger image.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences such that "able to resist" becomes unnecessarily passive. For instance, prefer "The company was able to resist the hostile takeover" over "The hostile takeover was able to be resisted by the company".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to resist" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the capacity or capability of someone or something to withstand or oppose a force, influence, or action. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "able to resist" is a versatile phrase used to describe the capacity to withstand or oppose something. Ludwig AI analysis indicates its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic domains. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the context and avoid passive constructions for clarity. Alternative phrases like "capable of resisting" and "equipped to withstand" offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of resisting

This alternative uses "capable" instead of "able", suggesting a slightly more inherent or innate ability.

equipped to withstand

Replaces "resist" with "withstand", implying endurance and the possession of necessary tools or resources.

strong enough to oppose

Focuses on the strength aspect of resistance and uses "oppose" for a more active sense of defiance.

in a position to defy

Highlights the positional advantage enabling resistance, using "defy" for a bolder connotation.

prepared to combat

Emphasizes readiness and willingness to fight or struggle against something.

hardy enough to endure

Focuses on resilience and the capacity to tolerate hardship without succumbing.

sufficiently protected against

Stresses the availability of sufficient protection to avoid negative consequences.

empowered to counteract

Highlights the agency and authority granted to actively oppose or neutralize something.

resilient when facing

Focuses on the inherent quality of being able to recover quickly from difficulties.

immune to

Suggests invulnerability or an exemption from the effects of something.

FAQs

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

Use "able to resist" to describe the capacity to withstand or oppose something. For example: "The fortress was "able to resist" the siege."

What are some alternatives to "able to resist"?

Alternatives include "capable of resisting", "equipped to withstand", or "strong enough to oppose" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "able to resisted"?

No, "able to resisted" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "able to resist", where "resist" is the base form of the verb following the infinitive "to".

What's the difference between "able to resist" and "resistant to"?

"Able to resist" describes a current capacity or capability, whereas "resistant to" describes an inherent quality of not being easily affected. For example, "The material is resistant to heat" means it has an inherent property, while "The structure was "able to resist" the impact" describes a specific event.