are able to drive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are able to drive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate someone's capability or permission to operate a vehicle. Example: "After completing the driving test, she confirmed that they are able to drive legally on the roads."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If you are able to drive your belongings to your dorm, or your parents are driving you, you have more options than those catching a plane, train or bus.

WikiHow

After that, most people are able to drive home.

Stanford University

"These are very smart, very skilled people who are able to drive innovation in the economy.

The Guardian

They are able to drive anywhere Google has mapped in detail.

MIT Technology Review

Similarly, many people are able to drive almost any automobile by knowing how to drive a specific automobile.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And if the xenophobic forces are able to drive the policy of the bloc, it threatens the EU's cherished reputation as a haven of human rights.

Independent

Stay away from analogies unless you are confident you are able to drive the point home with no room for open-interpretation.

Stanford University

An alternative explanation is that economic and political inequality sit together: in more unequal nations, bosses are able to drive their workers harder.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The world is burning and we're discussing whether they are able to drive an hour in the morning," she says, before adding, "I can't say that, of course".

The New York Times

The solvent delivery systems are able to drive the mobile phase without flow splitters and promote gradient elution using either dual piston reciprocating or syringe-type pumps.

Journal of Chromatography A

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Captain Shipman was able to drive away.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing capability, "are able to drive" is suitable. To convey permission or allowance, consider alternatives like "are permitted to drive" or "are authorized to drive".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "are able to drive" can sometimes sound more formal or less direct than simply using "can drive". Choose the option that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are able to drive" functions as a verb phrase indicating the ability or capacity to operate a vehicle. This combines the auxiliary verb "are" with the adjective "able" and the infinitive "to drive" to express competence or authorization, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are able to drive" is grammatically correct and widely used to express the ability, capacity, or permission to operate a vehicle. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts. While often interchangeable with "can drive", "are able to drive" may carry a slightly more formal tone, making it suitable for professional and news-related content. When aiming for conciseness or informality, "can drive" might be preferable. Remember, clarity and context are key to selecting the most appropriate phrasing in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can drive

Expresses the same ability in a more concise way, using the modal verb 'can'.

are permitted to drive

Emphasizes that permission has been granted to operate a vehicle.

have the capacity to drive

Highlights the inherent capability or skill to drive.

are qualified to drive

Indicates that the person meets the necessary requirements or certifications to drive.

are in a position to drive

Suggests circumstances allow for driving.

are authorized to drive

Implies official approval or legal right to drive.

are fit to drive

Focuses on the physical or mental state being suitable for driving.

know how to drive

Highlights the knowledge or skill set required for driving.

have the means to drive

Highlights the resources needed such as a car.

are capable of driving

Indicates a general ability or potential to drive.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "are able to drive"?

You can use alternatives like "can drive", "are permitted to drive", or "are qualified to drive" depending on the context.

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

Use "are able to drive" when you want to emphasize capability, permission, or authorization. "Can drive" is more general. For example, "They "are able to drive" now that they've passed the test" emphasizes their newly acquired permission.

Which is correct, "are able to drive" or "can be able to drive"?

"Are able to drive" is correct. "Can be able to drive" is redundant, as "can" already expresses ability.

How does the formality of "are able to drive" compare to "can drive"?

"Are able to drive" generally sounds more formal than the simpler "can drive". In most informal contexts, "can drive" is preferred.