be able to compose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be able to compose" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's capability or skill to create or write something, such as music, text, or other forms of composition. Example: "After months of practice, she is finally able to compose her own music."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But would I be able to compose in New York?

The New Yorker

It's the same way that Beethoven could lose his hearing but still be able to compose his ninth symphony.

The Guardian - Music

A grid of tiny wires will connect the pieces to a computer, which will be able to compose letters and figures in gray-scale patterns.

MIT Technology Review

That is to say, semantically described services would be able to compose with each other from high-level specifications.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

"But if we instruct the computer to use more notes, like for example in Hindu or Arabic music - they have more notes to the scale - then Iamus will be able to compose pieces that relate to those cultures," he says.

BBC

CSP should be able to compose reusable services with transparency of the detailed specifications of each Product Vendor (PV) and Third-party Serviae ProvIntegrationvia Integration Platform (IP) to deliver their own PS to the customers.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

And during those years I was able to compose dozens of hours of playable music".

The New Yorker

They were able to compose only by bringing themselves to attacks of inspiration, an extinct form of epilepsy".

The Guardian - Music

A writer brilliant, elegant, eloquent, without being able to compose a correct sentence, or spell words of four syllables.

The Washington Post

The long preparation of the book meant that, for the first time in Dickens's career, he was able to compose a novel that had an underlying structure.

The Guardian - Books

Representing a new synthesis, he is able to compose and dissect his own music at the highest level, and also to detail the historical context of his work.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be able to compose" when you want to emphasize the capacity or potential to create something, whether it's music, writing, or a more abstract composition. For instance, "After taking the course, she will be able to compose her own songs."

Common error

Be cautious about implying a guaranteed outcome when using "be able to compose". It indicates potential, not necessarily achievement. Instead of saying, "The software will be able to compose perfect emails," consider "The software will enable users to compose emails more efficiently."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be able to compose" functions as a verb phrase expressing the capacity or potential to create something, whether it's musical pieces, written works, or visual compositions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates a learned or acquired skill.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be able to compose" is a versatile phrase used to express the capacity or potential to create something, frequently appearing in News & Media and scientific writing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While alternatives such as "capable of composing" exist, "be able to compose" provides a clear and direct way to convey the potential for creative output. Remember to focus on skill development rather than guaranteeing the perfect outcome while composing any kind of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of composing

Emphasizes capability rather than the action itself.

have the ability to compose

Explicitly states the presence of an ability.

able to create

Replaces "compose" with a more general term for creation.

possess the skill to compose

Focuses on the skill aspect of composing.

competent to compose

Emphasizes the composer's level of expertise.

in a position to compose

Highlights the circumstances that allow composition.

equipped to compose

Suggests readiness and preparation for composing.

prepared to compose

Focuses on the state of being ready to start composing.

have what it takes to compose

An idiomatic expression indicating competence.

empowered to compose

Indicates having the authority or resources to compose.

FAQs

How can I use "be able to compose" in a sentence?

You can use "be able to compose" to express the capacity or potential to create something. For example, "With practice, anyone can "be able to compose" music" or "The software allows users to "be able to compose" professional documents".

What are some alternatives to "be able to compose"?

Alternatives include "capable of composing", "able to create", or "have the ability to compose". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "be able to compose" and "can compose"?

"Be able to compose" and "can compose" are often interchangeable, but "be able to" often implies a learned or developed ability, while "can" can also refer to inherent ability. For example, "She had to study hard to "be able to compose" complex symphonies", versus "She can compose beautiful melodies because she has a natural talent".

When should I use "be able to compose" instead of "compose"?

Use "be able to compose" when emphasizing the ability or potential to do so, often in the context of learning or developing a skill. Simply use "compose" when stating that someone does, in fact, create something. For example, "After years of training, she is "be able to compose" her own operas", versus "She composes operas every year".