are now able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are now able to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has gained the capability or permission to do something at the present time. Example: "After completing the training, employees are now able to access the new software system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We are now able to provide some new results.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Staff there are now able to monitor diabetes.

Independent

He said large businesses are now able to borrow again.

The New York Times

We are now able to track where kids go.

The New York Times

"Some high-quality musicians are now able to find long-term work here in the Philippines".

The New York Times

We are now able to field mature systems that have been successfully tested.

The New York Times

In some respects, it can feel as though we are now able to move on.

Independent

City gardeners are now able to use bee hives to help pollinate their plants.

The New York Times

Few companies are now able to make a profit from PCs.

The Economist

They are now able to maintain a steady production of about 40,000 pearls per year.

The New York Times

People are now able to pursue fullness in an amazing diversity of different ways.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are now able to" to clearly indicate a newly acquired ability or a change in circumstances that allows for a specific action. For example: "The software is updated, so users "are now able to" access the advanced features."

Common error

Avoid using "are now able to" when a simpler alternative like "can" or "are able to" is sufficient. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily wordy. For example, instead of "Due to the new regulations, companies "are now able to" expand their operations", consider "Due to the new regulations, companies can expand their operations."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are now able to" functions as a verbal phrase expressing current capability or possibility. It typically precedes an infinitive verb, indicating that someone or something has recently acquired the ability or permission to perform a particular action. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are now able to" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a newly acquired capability or permission. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile across different contexts, especially in news, science, and formal communications. When writing, consider if the 'now' aspect is necessary or if a simpler construction such as "can" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can lead to wordiness. By understanding the nuances, you can use "are now able to" effectively to convey changes in abilities or permissions with clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can now

This is a shorter, more direct way of expressing the same idea.

are currently capable of

Emphasizes present capability rather than a newly acquired ability.

are now permitted to

Focuses on permission or authorization rather than inherent ability.

have gained the ability to

Highlights the acquisition of a new skill or capacity.

are in a position to

Suggests readiness or preparedness to do something.

are equipped to

Implies having the necessary resources or tools.

are enabled to

Suggests that something has made them able to do something.

are now authorized to

Focuses specifically on formal authorization.

can henceforth

A more formal way of saying 'from now on'.

henceforth be able to

More formal and emphatic way of expressing future capability.

FAQs

How can I use "are now able to" in a sentence?

Use "are now able to" to indicate a newly acquired capability or a change that enables a specific action. For example: "Thanks to the new equipment, the team "are now able to" complete the project faster."

What are some alternatives to "are now able to"?

You can use alternatives like "can now", "are currently capable of", or "are now permitted to" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "are able to" and "are now able to"?

"Are able to" indicates a general capability, while "are now able to" emphasizes that the capability is new or has recently changed. For instance, "They "are able to" speak English" suggests a general skill, whereas "They "are now able to" speak English" indicates that they have recently learned or improved their English.

When should I use "are now able to" instead of just "can"?

Use "are now able to" when you want to emphasize that a capability is new or has recently become possible. "Can" is a more general term for ability. For example, "Before, we could only process a few orders a day, but with the new system, we "can" process hundreds" vs "Before, we could only process a few orders a day, but with the new system, we "are now able to" process hundreds".