can enable

USAGE SUMMARY

"can enable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest that something will have the power or ability to enable something else. For example: "Technology can enable us to work faster and more efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Internet, it said, can enable them.

The New York Times

You can enable this at Settings > Phone > Announce Calls.

The Guardian - Tech

"They can enable suicide or help prevent it".

The New York Times

"Language, that most human invention," he wrote, "can enable what, in principle, should not be possible.

The Guardian - Books

Technologically, they can enable self-checkout of a library's entire collection.

The New York Times - Tech

Art can enable you to cope with being a refugee, an exile".

The Guardian - Film

Aides "can enable a student to participate in a regular education classroom," said Ms. Gantwerk.

The New York Times

The NHS Choices website explains that an Ehic can enable the holder to receive free treatment.

The Guardian - Money

"One or two hits out there can enable a turnaround for an automaker.

The New York Times

Access to finance can enable so many opportunities and without it, individuals are severely limited.

The Guardian

Clever billing software can enable operators to introduce new tariffs or special offers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can enable", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what action or outcome is being enabled and what is doing the enabling. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "can enable" when the action only contributes partially to the outcome. "Can contribute to" or "can facilitate" might be more appropriate if the enabling effect is not direct or complete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can enable" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility or capability. It suggests that something possesses the potential or capacity to facilitate or make something else possible. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can enable" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that expresses the potential or capacity of something to make something else possible. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. It's versatile, appearing across various contexts from News & Media to Science. When using this phrase, ensure the enabling effect is clearly defined, and consider alternative phrases like "can facilitate" or "can empower" to fine-tune the meaning. Be careful not to overstate the enabling effect if the contribution is only partial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can facilitate

Replaces "enable" with "facilitate", suggesting making something easier rather than providing the means.

can allow

Substitutes "enable" with "allow", implying permission or opportunity rather than inherent capability.

can permit

Similar to "can allow" but often carries a more formal or official tone.

can empower

Emphasizes giving someone power or authority, adding a stronger sense of agency.

can make possible

Rephrases the idea to focus on creating possibility rather than direct enablement.

can pave the way for

Suggests creating a foundation or initial steps that lead to a larger outcome.

can open the door to

Implies creating opportunities or new avenues for something to occur.

can contribute to

Focuses on the role of contributing to a larger effect, instead of direct causation.

can assist in

Suggests providing help or aid, rather than being the primary driver of enablement.

can play a role in

Highlights participation but doesn't assign sole responsibility for enabling.

FAQs

How can I use "can enable" in a sentence?

Use "can enable" to show how something has the power or capacity to make something else possible. For example, "Technology "can enable" us to communicate more efficiently".

What are some alternatives to using "can enable"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "can facilitate", "can allow", or "can empower" to express similar ideas with slightly different nuances.

Is it correct to say "can enabled" instead of "can enable"?

No, "can enabled" is grammatically incorrect. "Can" is a modal verb, and it should always be followed by the base form of the verb, which is "enable" in this case.

What's the difference between "can enable" and "helps enable"?

"Can enable" suggests a direct capacity to make something possible, while "helps enable" implies that something contributes to or supports the process of enabling but isn't solely responsible for it.