The phrase "able to utter a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's capability to speak or express something verbally.
Example: "The child was finally able to utter a few words after months of speech therapy."
Alternatives: "capable of expressing a" or "able to articulate a".
She would not be able to utter a cross word to me, or raise a ruler.
Jimmy has many problems stemming from a complicated family life and a harrowing backstory that has left him barely able to utter a complete sentence.
As others pointed out, there is a vast difference between not being able to utter a word of English and having parents who speak another language – but that's by the by.
Arriving catatonically knackered, barely able to utter a syllable, I was in terror at the sight of the programme: dawn runs, at least five hours' cardio a day, an alarming amount of "burpees" (squat thrusts).
Him who hardly can speak and even forcing himself is still not able to utter a word.
In the ensuing conversation with Harty, as described by biographer David Buckley, "the singer made hardly any sense at all throughout what was quite an extensive interview.... Bowie looked completely disconnected and was hardly able to utter a coherent sentence".
Think of it as your personal mission statement or an "elevator pitch"—a bit or two about yourself that you should be able to utter instantly to a new acquaintance in the time it takes to ride an elevator a few floors.
But although the patient, the banking system, is no longer close to death, it's not out of bed and handing out squillions to anyone able to utter those fateful words, "can I have a loan please?" Nor, with any luck, will there be a return to the lending mania of the few years before the Crunch, or at least not for a long long time.
they are themselves, simply themselves with nothing to hide . it took me twenty-three yearsixsix churches, countless blacked out nites, a stint in rehab, and a suicide note to be able to utter the words " i'm gay ". even just to myself.
"Had Nathaniel lived he would have required a ventilator and would never have been able to utter one more word and would have been sentenced to life as a quadriplegic.
Until an Israeli leader is able to utter those words there will be no peace.
