able to talk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to talk" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's capability to communicate verbally. Example: "After months of therapy, the child is finally able to talk in complete sentences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I'm not able to talk to you".

The New York Times

I hate not being able to talk.

The New Yorker

He's got to be able to talk".

The New York Times - Sports

"They are able to talk to us.

The Guardian

Technically I wasn't able to talk anymore.

The Guardian

You're still able to talk on it.

The New York Times

Physically, I was able to talk.

The Guardian - Opinion

He didn't think he'd be able to talk to anybody.

The New Yorker

Did he think he'd be able to talk to them?

The New Yorker

"I like being able to talk to an audience.

The New York Times

Mr Karzai seems able to talk to Mr Zardari.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "able to talk" when referring to someone's general capacity for speech or their current physical or mental state that allows them to speak.

Common error

Avoid using "able to talk" when you actually mean someone has strong communication skills or is good at public speaking. Instead, opt for phrases like "articulate speaker" or "skilled communicator" to accurately describe their abilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to talk" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a subject to indicate their capability or capacity to speak. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, confirming its adjectival role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "able to talk" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that describes the capacity or ability to speak. As Ludwig AI points out, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific publications. While alternatives like "capable of speaking" exist, "able to talk" remains a straightforward and versatile choice. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the speaker's capability rather than their communication skills. With its high frequency and neutral register, "able to talk" is a reliable option for expressing someone's verbal communication ability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of speaking

Focuses on the inherent capacity or skill to speak.

in a state to speak

Focuses on the physical or mental condition that allows speaking.

in a position to speak

Highlights the situational readiness or authorization to speak.

not lost for words

Highlights someone being articulate and ready to speak, often in response to a situation.

have the ability to communicate

Emphasizes the broader skill of communication, not just verbal.

permitted to speak

Indicates that someone has received permission to speak.

authorized to talk

Implies formal permission or clearance to speak about something specific.

free to converse

Suggests having the liberty or lack of constraints to engage in conversation.

eligible to address

Emphasizes the qualification or right to address an audience.

empowered to communicate

Highlights that someone has been given the power or authority to communicate.

FAQs

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

You can use "able to talk" to describe someone's capacity to communicate verbally. For example, "After the surgery, she was finally "able to talk" normally again."

What's a more formal way to say "able to talk"?

A more formal alternative to "able to talk" is "capable of speaking". For example, instead of saying "He wasn't "able to talk" after the accident", you could say "He wasn't capable of speaking after the accident".

What are some alternatives to "able to talk"?

Some alternatives to "able to talk" include "capable of speaking", "in a position to speak", or "have the ability to communicate", depending on the context.

When should I use "able to talk" versus "willing to talk"?

"Able to talk" refers to the physical or mental capacity to speak, while "willing to talk" refers to someone's readiness or desire to speak. Use "able to talk" when someone has the capability to speak, and "willing to talk" when they are agreeable to speaking.