are able to

USAGE SUMMARY

"are able to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about a person or group of people being capable of completing a task or achieving a certain outcome. For example: "The students are able to complete their assignments on time each week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are able to adjust constantly".

The New York Times

"We are able to spot trends.

The New York Times

Yet most are able to work.

The Economist

They are able to recruit people.

Independent

They are able to live at 60°C.

The Economist

"They are able to hide".

The New York Times

are able to produce biofilm.

Trends in Oil and Gas Corrosion Research and Technologies Production and Transmission

"They are able to talk to us.

The Guardian

Few are able to go to school.

The Guardian

"They are able to develop a chemistry.

The New York Times

Most women are able to taper off.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are able to" when you want to emphasize the capacity or potential to perform an action, especially when highlighting a skill or overcoming a limitation.

Common error

Avoid using "are able to" when a simpler form like "can" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or wordy. Opt for "can" in most everyday contexts for clearer and more concise communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are able to" functions as a modal construction expressing the capacity or ability to perform an action. This is supported by Ludwig AI, confirming its correct grammatical usage. Examples show it used across various contexts to indicate capability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are able to" is a versatile phrase used to express the capability or possibility of performing an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While "can" offers a simpler alternative, "are able to" provides a more formal tone and is useful for emphasizing specific achievements or conditional abilities. It's important to avoid overuse in simple contexts where "can" suffices, maintaining clarity and conciseness in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can

A more concise and often less formal way to express the same ability or possibility.

are capable of

Emphasizes inherent ability or potential, often implying a degree of skill or talent.

have the ability to

Highlights the possession of a specific skill or capacity required for a task.

are in a position to

Suggests having the necessary resources or circumstances to perform an action.

are permitted to

Indicates authorization or permission to do something, often within a set of rules or guidelines.

are allowed to

Similar to "are permitted to", but may imply a more general or less formal authorization.

are empowered to

Implies having the authority or power to take action, often in a leadership or decision-making role.

are qualified to

Highlights meeting the necessary criteria or standards for a particular task or position.

are eligible to

Suggests meeting the requirements or conditions to receive a benefit or participate in something.

manage to

Implies overcoming a challenge or difficulty to achieve a desired outcome.

FAQs

How do I use "are able to" in a sentence?

Use "are able to" to indicate capability or capacity. For example, "The students "are able to understand" the complex concepts" or "With the new software, we "are able to process" data faster".

What's the difference between "are able to" and "can"?

"Are able to" and "can" both express ability, but "are able to" often implies a learned skill or a specific capacity achieved through effort or circumstance. "Can" is more general. For instance, "I "can swim"" implies a general ability, while "I "am able to swim" after physical therapy" suggests a regained capability.

When is it better to use "are able to" instead of "can"?

Use "are able to" when emphasizing a specific achievement, a conditional ability, or when needing a more formal tone. For example, "Only qualified personnel "are able to operate" this equipment" is more precise and authoritative than "Only qualified personnel "can operate" this equipment".

What are some alternatives to "are able to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "are capable of", "have the ability to", or "are in a position to". These phrases offer slightly different nuances and levels of formality.