able to watch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to watch" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone has the capability to watch something, such as a movie or a television show. For example: I was finally able to watch the season finale of my favorite show.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not able to watch it.

The New York Times

If you're able to watch, she's #31.

The New York Times

They should be able to watch him".

The New York Times

The first is being able to watch the landscape change.

The New York Times

You'll be able to watch video content on it.

The New York Times

"I wasn't able to watch that much," Burress said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Now I'll never be able to watch me," he whimpered.

The New York Times

We were able to watch in street clothes.

The New York Times

I haven't been able to watch the sport in years.

The New York Times

Their mother said she would barely be able to watch.

The New York Times - Sports

Visitors will be able to watch conservators at work.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "able to watch", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being watched and the reason why the ability to watch is significant. For example: "Thanks to the new streaming service, I am finally "able to watch" all the classic movies I missed."

Common error

Avoid using "able to watch" in unnecessarily passive constructions. Instead of saying "The game was able to be watched by millions", a more direct approach is "Millions were "able to watch" the game."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to watch" functions as a verb phrase expressing the capacity or ability to view something. Ludwig confirms that it's a valid and commonly used expression. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "able to watch" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express the capacity or opportunity to view something. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While the phrase is versatile, paying attention to context ensures its optimal use. Some alternatives for "able to watch" are "capable of watching", "in a position to view", and "have the opportunity to see", depending on the intended nuance. Therefore, understanding both the appropriate applications and common pitfalls helps in wielding this phrase effectively in your written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of watching

Replaces "able" with its synonym "capable", maintaining the same meaning.

in a position to view

Substitutes "watch" with "view" and uses "in a position" to express the ability.

have the opportunity to see

Emphasizes the chance or occasion to watch, using "see" as a synonym.

have the capacity to observe

Replaces "watch" with the more formal "observe", and uses "capacity" instead of "able".

in a state to view

Uses "in a state" to express the condition or ability to watch.

allowed to view

Highlights permission or authorization to watch something.

permitted to observe

Similar to "allowed to view" but with more formal vocabulary.

in condition to see

Replaces "able" with the more literal "in condition", focusing on the physical or situational readiness.

empowered to watch

Suggests that someone has been given the power or authority to watch.

free to view

Indicates lack of restrictions preventing someone from watching.

FAQs

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

You can use "able to watch" to express the capacity or opportunity to view something. For example: "I am finally "able to watch" the new season of my favorite show" or "With this new device, you'll be "able to watch" videos on the go".

What are some alternatives to "able to watch"?

Alternatives include "capable of watching", "in a position to view", or "have the opportunity to see", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "able to watching"?

No, "able to watching" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "able to watch", where "watch" is the base form of the verb.

What's the difference between "able to watch" and "allowed to watch"?

"Able to watch" implies having the capacity or means to view something, while "allowed to watch" suggests permission or authorization. You might be "able to watch" a game because you have a TV, but not "allowed to watch" it because it's past your bedtime.