able to swim

USAGE SUMMARY

"able to swim" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's ability to perform a certain action, in this case swimming. Example: Sarah is not only a talented dancer, but she is also able to swim effortlessly across the pool.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All boaters must be able to swim.

The New York Times

All are nocturnal and able to swim a little.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It was like being able to swim in the stuff.

The Guardian

It took me 15 lessons to be able to swim.

The Guardian

Minimum age 10, participants must be able to swim.

The Guardian - Travel

Under those circumstances, not being able to swim becomes a big problem.

The New York Times

Players will also be able to swim and get involved in underwater shoot-outs, too.

Independent

IF YOU GO Hikers should be experienced, able to swim and completely self-sufficient.

The New York Times - Travel

"If the president walked on water, he would be criticised for not being able to swim".

Independent

He was able to swim out of the wreckage as it drifted downwards.

Independent

He's also been able to swim for the first time since he fell ill.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "able to swim" to clearly state someone's capacity for swimming, especially when contrasting it with other abilities or requirements, for example: "Participants must be able to swim 50 meters unaided."

Common error

Avoid using "able to swim" in very simple sentences where "can swim" would suffice. Overusing the longer phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to swim" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the subject's capacity or capability to perform the action of swimming. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

24%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "able to swim" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates someone's capacity to swim. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correctness and common usage. While "can swim" might be more concise for everyday conversation, "able to swim" serves well when emphasizing the ability or stating requirements, as highlighted by Ludwig's examples. Primarily found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, this phrase exhibits a neutral register adaptable to both formal and informal communication. Remember to avoid overuse in simple sentences where "can swim" is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can swim

This is a simpler and more direct way to express the ability.

capable of swimming

This alternative emphasizes the general capability of swimming.

has the ability to swim

This alternative emphasizes the ability as a possession or attribute.

knows how to swim

This is a more informal and common way of expressing the ability to swim.

is competent in swimming

Emphasizes the user's competence.

proficient in swimming

This suggests a high degree of skill and expertise in swimming.

has swimming skills

Focuses on the acquired skills related to swimming.

mastered swimming

It suggests complete control and skill in the water.

swim proficiently

This alternative uses an adverb to describe the manner of swimming.

is a swimmer

This phrase identifies the person as someone who engages in swimming, implying competence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "able to swim" for variety?

You can use alternatives like "capable of swimming", "knows how to swim", or simply "can swim" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

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

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "can swim" is generally more concise and suitable for everyday use. "Able to swim" is often used when emphasizing the ability or in more formal contexts.

When is it important to specify "able to swim"?

It's important to specify "able to swim" when the ability is a requirement or a condition, such as in safety guidelines or skill assessments. For instance, "All participants must be able to swim 25 meters" clearly states the requirement.

What's the difference between saying someone "is a swimmer" and saying they are "able to swim"?

Saying someone "is a swimmer" implies they regularly engage in swimming as an activity or sport. Saying they are "able to swim" simply states they have the skill or capacity to swim, regardless of how often they do it.