been able to

USAGE SUMMARY

"been able to" is a perfectly acceptable and valid part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it in a sentence that expresses the ability or capacity to do something. For example: "I have been able to successfully complete the task."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

But I've not been able to.

The New Yorker

I've been able to do that.

The New York Times - Sports

They've been able to do that.

The New York Times - Sports

Ziad had not been able to wait.

The New Yorker

I've just been able to play".

The New York Times - Sports

Nobody has been able to slow Florida Gulf Coast.

The New York Times - Sports

"I've been able to save some money".

The New York Times

People haven't been able to find it.

The Guardian

I've always been able to have that".

The New York Times - Sports

I've never been able to find it.

The New York Times

"We've been able to craft it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been able to" when you want to emphasize a sustained ability or a series of successful attempts over a period. For example, "I've been able to maintain a healthy lifestyle through consistent exercise".

Common error

While "been able to" is useful for emphasizing sustained ability, avoid using it when a simple past tense form like "could" or "managed to" is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "I have been able to finish the project", use "I finished the project" or "I managed to finish the project" if the focus is simply on the completion of the task.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been able to" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase indicating the completion of an action requiring ability or capacity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it denotes a sustained or repeated capability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "been able to" is a versatile auxiliary verb phrase used to indicate a sustained or repeated capability, as affirmed by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and widely accepted across various registers, particularly in news and media. While highly versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse in simple past contexts where simpler alternatives like "could" or "managed to" might be more appropriate. The examples on Ludwig highlight its common usage in expressing the realization of potential, accomplishment of goals, and maintenance of certain states over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was able to

Similar in meaning, but may imply a single instance of ability rather than a sustained capacity.

could

A more concise way to express past ability or possibility.

managed to

Indicates successful completion of something, often despite difficulty.

succeeded in

Emphasizes the achievement or accomplishment of a task.

was capable of

Highlights the inherent ability or potential to do something.

had the capacity to

Focuses on the available resources or conditions that allowed something to happen.

in a position to

Emphasizes the circumstances that enable action.

found it possible to

Highlights the discovery of feasibility to do something.

was permitted to

Focuses on the authorization or allowance to perform an action.

was in a state to

Emphasizes the condition or readiness to perform an action.

FAQs

How can I use "been able to" in a sentence?

Use "been able to" to indicate a past ability that has continued or occurred repeatedly. For example, "She has "been able to" overcome many obstacles during her career".

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "managed to", "succeeded in", or simply "could".

When should I use "was able to" versus "been able to"?

"Was able to" generally refers to a specific instance in the past, while "been able to" suggests a continuous ability or a series of instances over time. For example, "I was able to catch the train" versus "I have "been able to" travel frequently for work".

Is there a difference between "being able to" and "been able to"?

"Being able to" functions as a gerund or present participle, often describing a state or condition, while "been able to" is a past participle form indicating a completed action or state. For example, "Being able to speak multiple languages is an asset" versus "I have "been able to" communicate effectively with international clients".