claims to be able

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "claims to be able" is correct and widely used in written English.
It means that someone is asserting or stating their ability to do something. It is typically used to express doubt or skepticism about the person's actual ability. Example: The job candidate claims to be able to speak Spanish fluently, but during the interview, she struggled to hold a basic conversation in the language.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Island Draw claims to be able to "save as" EPSF but it *lies*.

Columbia University

He claims to be able to focus even when surrounded by people.

The Guardian - Arts

Alpha claims to be able to produce 32m tonnes a year.

The Guardian - Opinion

Each claims to be able to represent Chinatown as well as anyone.

The New York Times

It even claims to be able to make predictions about educational attainment.

MIT Technology Review

Apart from clinical applications, KINTAPE claims to be able to enhance functional performance by muscle activity facilitation.

Manual Therapy

The only thing I buy is a £12.99 device that claims to be able to restart a flat car battery.

The Guardian - Travel

North Korea already has a nuclear weapons arsenal and claims to be able to target the entire United States.

The Washington Post

It claims to be able to alter the muscle activity, in terms of both facilitation and inhibition, by certain application methods.

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport

As yet, nothing has worked, so forgive me for being sceptical about an iPhone app that claims to be able to help people like me.

Independent

He claims to be able to do this because, unlike women writers, he can imagine himself into the perspective of the other sex.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting a neutral statement about someone's ability, consider using phrases like "is able to" or "has the capacity to" instead of "claims to be able" to avoid implying doubt.

Common error

Avoid using "claims to be able" in every situation where someone states their ability. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily cynical or biased. Reserve it for situations where there is genuine reason to doubt the claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "claims to be able" functions as a reporting verb construction used to introduce a statement of ability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it often implies skepticism or doubt about the veracity of the claim. It sets up the assertion for potential scrutiny or disbelief.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "claims to be able" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to report someone's assertion of their capability while subtly expressing doubt or skepticism. As Ludwig AI indicates, its frequent use in news and media suggests its suitability for objective reporting where claims need to be presented with a degree of critical distance. When using this phrase, it's essential to be aware of its subtle implications and to use it judiciously to avoid conveying unnecessary cynicism. Alternative phrases like "is able to" or "has the capacity to" can be used for more neutral statements. While prevalent across various domains, "claims to be able" is most prominently found in news and media sources, reflecting its utility in reporting potentially unverified claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

asserts the ability to

Replaces "claims" with "asserts", emphasizing a strong declaration of capability.

maintains the capacity to

Replaces "claims" with "maintains", indicating a consistent assertion of ability.

alleges competence in

Substitutes "claims" with "alleges" and specifies "competence", suggesting a skill or expertise is proclaimed.

represents as capable of

Shifts the focus to how someone or something is presented, rather than the direct claim itself.

professes capability of

Uses "professes" to convey a formal declaration of being capable.

states an aptitude for

Focuses on "aptitude", implying a natural talent or skill is claimed.

avows readiness for

Uses "avows" to indicate a confident declaration of preparedness.

warrants the ability to

Uses "warrants" suggesting a guarantee or assurance of the ability.

purports to have the skill to

Employs "purports", suggesting the claim might be questionable or unverified.

pretends to be capable of

Introduces an element of insincerity or doubt with "pretends".

FAQs

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

Use "claims to be able" to introduce a statement of ability that you or others might view with skepticism. For example, "The company "claims to be able" to double its profits, but its past performance suggests otherwise."

What's a less skeptical alternative to "claims to be able"?

Instead of "claims to be able", you could use phrases like "is able to", "can", "has the capacity to", or "is capable of" when you want to present a more neutral or positive assertion of ability. For example, "She "is able to" speak three languages fluently."

What does it mean when someone "claims to be able" to do something?

When someone "claims to be able" to do something, it means they are stating that they have the ability or skill to do it, but there may be doubt or uncertainty about whether they actually possess that ability. The phrase often implies that the claim should be viewed with skepticism until proven.

Is there a difference between "claims to be able" and "is able"?

Yes, there is a subtle but important difference. "Is able" simply states that someone has the ability to do something. "Claims to be able", on the other hand, introduces an element of doubt or skepticism. It suggests that the ability being claimed is not necessarily verified or universally accepted.