able to retrieve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to retrieve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the capability of accessing or obtaining information or data. Example: "The software is able to retrieve data from multiple sources quickly and efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He seemed able to retrieve every loose ball.

The New York Times - Sports

We won't be able to retrieve them until we leave.

The Guardian

You'd never be able to retrieve the information anyway.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he was able to retrieve samples of ice that was a half million years old.

The New Yorker

If that doesn't work, a data-rescue specialist may be able to retrieve the files.

The New York Times - Tech

Most couples have been able to retrieve theirs and have them printed elsewhere.

The New York Times

Will Scott Morrison be able to retrieve the government's superannuation reforms?

The Guardian

"Nobody was hurt, and we were able to retrieve much of our material," Mr. Poole said.

The New York Times

Provided with the right trigger, the hippocampus should be able to retrieve any pattern.

The Guardian

But the firing continued and rescuers were only able to retrieve three of the bodies.

The Guardian

But the police were able to retrieve a semen sample from the woman's blouse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "able to retrieve", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being retrieved and from where. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "able to retrieve" excessively in passive voice constructions. Active voice often makes the sentence more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of "The data was able to be retrieved", consider "The system could retrieve the data."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to retrieve" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the capacity or possibility of getting something back or accessing something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "able to retrieve" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express the capacity or possibility of accessing or obtaining something. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and broad applicability. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and general contexts, making it suitable for various writing styles. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is being retrieved. Be mindful of overuse in passive constructions. Alternatives like "capable of recovering" or "successful in obtaining" can add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of recovering

Uses "capable of" instead of "able to", and "recovering" instead of "retrieve", focusing on the act of getting something back after a loss.

in a position to reclaim

Replaces "able to" with "in a position to" and "retrieve" with "reclaim", suggesting the restoration of something to a prior state or owner.

successful in obtaining

Emphasizes the success in getting or acquiring something, replacing "retrieve" with "obtaining".

managed to regain

Highlights the effort and success in getting something back, using "managed to" instead of "able to" and "regain" in place of "retrieve".

succeeded in accessing

Focuses on the successful access of information or data, replacing "retrieve" with "accessing".

competent to extract

Implies skill and qualification in taking out or drawing something, using "competent to" instead of "able to" and "extract" for "retrieve".

authorized to fetch

Indicates permission or authority to get something, using "authorized to" instead of "able to" and "fetch" for "retrieve".

eligible to download

Specifically refers to the ability to download digital content, substituting "retrieve" with "download".

empowered to recall

Suggests being given the power or ability to remember or bring back something, replacing "retrieve" with "recall".

entitled to collect

Implies a right or entitlement to gather or bring together, using "entitled to" instead of "able to" and "collect" in place of "retrieve".

FAQs

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

Use "able to retrieve" to indicate the capacity to get something back or access something. For example, "The system is "able to retrieve" data from the server".

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

You can use alternatives like "capable of recovering", "successful in obtaining", or "managed to regain" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "able to retrieve" or "able to be retrieved"?

"Able to retrieve" is generally more direct and preferred. "Able to be retrieved" is passive and can often be rephrased for better clarity.

What's the difference between "able to retrieve" and "authorized to fetch"?

"Able to retrieve" generally indicates a capability, while "authorized to fetch" suggests permission or right to obtain something. The former focuses on the ability, the latter on the right.