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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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are you able

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are you able" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to inquire about someone's capability or willingness to do something. Example: "Are you able to complete the report by Friday?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

2. How much risk are you able to take?

News & Media

Independent

What routines and rituals are you able to maintain?

How often are you able to do that?

News & Media

The Guardian

Or are you able to brush it off?

Science & Research

Science Magazine

So, what are you able to do?

News & Media

Huffington Post

How are you able to teach that?

News & Media

Huffington Post

So how are you able to achieve that?

40 PFAre Are you able to run errands and shop?

Are you able to deal with failure?

News & Media

The New York Times

Are you able to take our call?

Are you able to reach them?

News & Media

The New Yorker
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are you able" when you want to politely inquire about someone's capacity to do something, considering factors like skill, resources, and circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "are you able" when you simply want to know someone's willingness. It's more appropriate to ask "are you willing" if capacity is not the primary concern.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

80%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are you able" functions as an interrogative clause, specifically used to inquire about someone's capacity or possibility to perform a certain action. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, ranging from professional tasks to personal abilities. The affirmation from Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

26%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are you able" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to inquire about someone's capacity or possibility to perform a task. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. With a diverse range of applications spanning from news media to scientific research, it is essential to use the phrase judiciously, keeping in mind the context and the degree of formality required. Remember to clearly state the action you're inquiring about to avoid ambiguity.

FAQs

What does "are you able" mean?

The phrase "are you able" inquires about someone's capacity, skill, or opportunity to do something. It is a polite way of asking if someone is capable of performing a specific action or task.

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

Use "are you able" followed by the action you're asking about. For example, "Are you able to attend the meeting?" or "Are you able to help me?"

What can I say instead of "are you able"?

You can use alternatives such as "can you", "are you capable of", or "would you be able to", depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Which is correct, "are you able to" or "can you to"?

"Are you able to" is grammatically correct. "Can you to" is incorrect. "Can" already implies ability, so adding "to be able to" is redundant. Just use "can you".

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Source & Trust

80%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: