be able to come

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be able to come" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's capability or availability to attend an event or situation. Example: "I hope you will be able to come to the meeting tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Will they be able to come?

Princeton University

They won't be able to come up with anything.

The New York Times

We won't be able to come this late.

The New Yorker

I hope we'll be able to come next summer, too".

The New York Times

It's really good to be able to come back".

The New York Times

"And I do think we'll be able to come together.

The New York Times - Sports

Students must be able to come to campus.

Stanford University

"A lot of students will not be able to come".

The New York Times

Then you've got to be able to come back in".

The New York Times - Arts

"They will always be able to come to Honoré.

The New Yorker

Hopefully we will be able to come up with solutions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be able to come" when you want to emphasize capability or opportunity rather than simply stating attendance. For example, "Due to the new regulations, not everyone will "be able to come"."

Common error

Avoid overusing "be able to come" when a simpler phrase like "can come" or "can attend" is more appropriate. Simpler language often leads to clearer communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be able to come" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing the ability, possibility, or permission to arrive or attend. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be able to come" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression indicating the ability, possibility, or permission to arrive or attend. Ludwig AI highlights its widespread use across various contexts, especially in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While simpler alternatives like "can come" exist, "be able to come" is valuable for emphasizing capacity or opportunity. To enhance clarity, avoid overusing it when a simpler phrasing suffices. This exploration, enriched by examples from reputable sources, provides a robust understanding of how to effectively employ "be able to come" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can make it

A more casual way to express the ability to attend.

be capable of attending

Stresses the capability and ability to attend.

manage to arrive

Focuses on the act of successfully arriving, emphasizing effort.

be free to join

Highlights the freedom and availability to participate.

be in a position to attend

Highlights the circumstances allowing attendance, adding formality.

have the capacity to visit

Emphasizes the availability and potential for a visit, more formal.

have the opportunity to be there

Focuses on having the opportunity to attend.

find it possible to be present

Stresses the possibility of presence, with a formal tone.

be permitted to enter

Focuses on permission and authorization to enter.

be eligible to participate

Emphasizes eligibility and the right to participate.

FAQs

What does "be able to come" mean?

The phrase "be able to come" indicates the possibility or capability of someone arriving at a location or attending an event. It suggests that the person has the means or opportunity to be present.

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

You can use alternatives like "can attend", "manage to arrive", or "be free to join" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "can come" or "be able to come"?

"Can come" is generally more concise and suitable for informal contexts. "Be able to come" is more emphatic and can be used to stress capability or opportunity. The choice depends on the desired tone and emphasis.

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

You can use "be able to come" to express someone's capacity or availability to attend an event or situation. For example, "I hope you will "be able to come" to the meeting tomorrow" or "Not everyone will "be able to come" due to limited space".