be able to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be able to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the ability to do something, either in the present or future, and often in the context of a specific action. For example, "I will be able to finish the project by next week".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They may be able to.

The New Yorker

Should he be able to?

Independent

Or be able to attract?

The Guardian - Sport

Will they be able to?

The Economist

"I may be able to.

The New York Times

I will never be able to.

The Economist

NOVA should be able to discover which.

The Economist

But will he be able to resist?

The Economist

We should be able to handle this.

The New Yorker

I might be able to contribute".

The New York Times

"I wanted to be able to sit".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be able to" to express future possibilities or abilities, as it is more versatile than "can" in certain grammatical constructions (e.g., "I will be able to attend the meeting").

Common error

Avoid using "be able to" in place of "can" when expressing general present abilities; "can" is usually more concise (e.g., use "I can swim" instead of "I am able to swim" for a general statement).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be able to" functions as a modal verb construction expressing ability or capacity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates the potential to perform an action, often in future or conditional contexts. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various tenses and with other modal verbs, such as "will "be able to"" or "should "be able to"".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be able to" is a versatile phrase used to express ability or potential across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. As seen in the examples from Ludwig, it commonly appears in news, wiki, and scientific sources. While alternatives like "can" exist, "be able to" offers greater flexibility in certain grammatical structures, especially when expressing future or conditional abilities. Remember to use it to express future possibilities or abilities. Avoid using it in place of "can" when expressing general present abilities for conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can

Replaces the phrase with a simpler, more direct verb expressing ability.

be capable of

Highlights the competence and skill involved in being able to do something.

have the capacity to

Emphasizes the inherent potential or capability to do something.

be qualified to

Emphasizes the possession of the necessary skills or credentials.

be in a position to

Suggests that circumstances allow for the possibility of doing something.

be equipped to

Highlights the necessary resources or qualifications for doing something.

manage to

Implies overcoming some difficulty or challenge to achieve something.

succeed in

Focuses on the successful outcome of being able to do something.

be allowed to

Similar to 'be permitted to', but may imply a broader sense of allowance.

be permitted to

Indicates that permission or authorization is granted to do something.

FAQs

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

"Be able to" is used to express an ability or possibility. For example, "I will "be able to" attend the meeting next week" indicates a future ability.

What can I say instead of "be able to"?

You can use alternatives like "can", "have the capacity to", or "be capable of", depending on the context.

Which is correct: "can" or "be able to"?

Both "can" and "be able to" express ability, but "can" is typically used for present abilities, while "be able to" can express future or conditional abilities. It can also be used with other modal verbs (e.g. "should "be able to"").

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

"Be able to" indicates capability or possibility, while "be allowed to" indicates permission. For example, "I am "be able to" lift this box" means I have the strength, but "I am "be allowed to" enter the building" means I have permission.