able to sway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to sway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the ability to influence or change someone's opinion or decision. Example: "The politician was able to sway public opinion with his compelling speech."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

He goes on, "I had never heard a man so able to sway people.

The New Yorker

In the end, however, neither side was able to sway enough jurors to win the case.

The New York Times

"Here in LA, buildings have to be able to sway," he says.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

So cost-conscious clients may now be able to sway long reluctant partners to accept alternatives.

The New York Times

Their interest in him may have arisen not just from the bribes he was able to pay but from votes he was able to sway.

The Economist

The ones that survived were wooden houses, since they were less stiff than the concrete ones and able to sway with the tremor.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Though Lime wasn't able to successfully sway San Francisco authorities, it was given permission to operate in Santa Monica last month alongside Bird, Lyft and JUMP Bikes.

TechCrunch

When we meet him again in the film, he's still working at the police station, still able to be swayed by a good slice of pizza.

The Guardian - Film

He then noted that if these people's minds were still able to be swayed, that they should contact him via email and even include their phone number if they wanted to.

Huffington Post

21, 22 Interestingly, after 3 months of training we were able to show that participants regained the strategy to sway around an attractor.

Clinical interventions in aging

The distribution of resin pockets in the trees suggested a mechanically induced cause - in the vertical direction the resin pockets were predominant in an area representing the zone of maximum wind sway, and in the radial direction the incidence of resin pockets decreased when the trees reached a size where they were able to resist wind sway (Clifton, 1969).

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "able to sway", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is being influenced, and the method or reason behind the ability to sway. For instance, instead of just stating "He was able to sway", specify "He was able to sway the jury with his passionate closing argument."

Common error

Avoid using "able to sway" when the actual influence is minimal or unproven. Instead of saying "The advertisement was able to sway consumers", consider "The advertisement aimed to influence consumers" if the effect is uncertain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to sway" primarily functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the capacity or potential to influence someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is grammatically correct and widely recognized. Examples show its use in various contexts, highlighting its versatile application.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "able to sway" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes the capacity or potential to influence. Ludwig AI supports this assessment. It appears frequently in news and media, wiki entries, and scientific publications. Its versatility makes it appropriate for a wide range of contexts, although attention should be paid to the nuances of influence and avoiding overstatements. Alternative phrases, such as "capable of influencing" or "able to persuade", can be considered for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of influencing

Replaces "able to" with "capable of", offering a more formal tone while retaining the core meaning of having the capacity to affect something.

in a position to influence

Emphasizes the situational aspect of having the power or opportunity to affect a decision or outcome.

able to persuade

Focuses specifically on the act of convincing someone, rather than a broader sense of influence.

having the power to influence

Highlights the power dynamic involved in the ability to sway others.

effective at swaying

Indicates a proven track record or high level of skill in influencing others.

successful in influencing

Similar to "effective at swaying", but emphasizes the achievement of a desired outcome.

able to shape

Suggests a more profound and lasting impact than simply swaying.

capable of directing

Implies a guiding or controlling influence over a specific course of action.

able to impact

Focuses on the effect or consequence of influencing someone or something.

able to manipulate

Carries a negative connotation, suggesting influence through cunning or deceit.

FAQs

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

Use "able to sway" to describe the capacity to influence someone's opinion or decision. For instance, "The compelling evidence was "able to sway" the judge's final ruling."

What are some alternatives to "able to sway"?

You can use phrases like "capable of influencing", "able to persuade", or "having the power to influence" as alternatives to "able to sway", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "able to sway" or "able to influence"?

"Able to sway" and "able to influence" are quite similar. "Able to sway" often implies a more direct or immediate impact, while "able to influence" can suggest a broader, more gradual effect.

What's the difference between "able to sway" and "persuade"?

While both terms relate to affecting someone's beliefs or actions, "able to sway" emphasizes the capacity to shift opinions, while "persuade" focuses on successfully convincing someone to adopt a particular viewpoint or course of action. Persuasion is a more active and complete act, while to "able to sway", refers to a more generic ability.