essentially able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "essentially able to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has the fundamental capability to do something, often implying that there may be some limitations or conditions involved. Example: "The software is essentially able to process large amounts of data quickly, though it may require additional resources for optimal performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

If it is not liquid - essentially able to bought and sold on the market - the debt increases but borrowing doesn't.

The Guardian - Business

When inflation and the federal funds rate are equal, the so-called real interest rate is zero, meaning that banks are essentially able to borrow money for nothing.

The New York Times

And one of the best aspects, he said, is that "you will be essentially able to access the network from any place you happen to be".

The New York Times - Tech

If they are not liquid – essentially able to bought and sold on the market – the national debt burden increases but borrowing does not.

The Guardian - Business

In 2010-11, the prime minister was essentially able to live for free in No 10, with £20,000 of his income deemed untaxed.

The Guardian

For a given amount, they are essentially able to take more carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere than they could only a decade ago.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Notwithstanding transient and shifting epicontinental seaways, flora and fauna essentially were able to move freely within the Northern and Southern hemispheres but not between them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"If you have the ability to corrupt that data structure… you'll essentially be able to gain an arbitrary right [a privilege allowing an attacker to write to the device], which is pretty much the end goal of any exploit".

The Guardian - Tech

By tying payouts to a specific measure like return on equity, Credit Suisse will essentially be able to take back bonuses in the event the bank's fortunes take a turn for the worse.

The New York Times

The theory is that by connecting with the present moment, calmly observing our thoughts, feelings and sensations so as to become more directly aware of them, mindfulness practitioners become, essentially, better able to manage them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"You can imagine a student that might be in a Hudson Valley middle school or one of the universities essentially being able to observe the system themselves, to access the data and create their own hypotheses".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "essentially able to" when you want to convey that something or someone has the basic capacity or capability to perform an action, even if there are limitations or conditions involved.

Common error

Avoid using "essentially able to" if the subject's ability is severely limited or theoretical. Ensure the ability is realistic and practical, not just a remote possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essentially able to" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a fundamental capacity or capability. As Ludwig AI suggests, this usage is grammatically correct and found in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "essentially able to" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate a fundamental capability or capacity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various domains, including news, science, and business. While not as strong as "fully able to", it effectively conveys that a subject possesses the basic means to perform an action, even if there are limitations. When writing, ensure that the ability is realistic and avoid overstating the subject's actual capacity. Consider alternatives like "basically capable of" or "fundamentally equipped to" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basically capable of

Emphasizes the fundamental capacity or skill.

virtually competent to

Highlights the practical or near competence.

fundamentally equipped to

Focuses on the essential resources or skills.

practically in a position to

Indicates the realistic possibility or situation.

realistically empowered to

Suggests the actual authorization or power.

in effect capable of

Emphasizes the actual or functional capacity.

tantamount to being capable of

Highlights the equivalence to having the ability.

effectively competent to

Focuses on the result or outcome of competence.

almost in a position to

Suggests a near or impending capability.

substantially qualified to

Implies a significant level of qualification.

FAQs

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

You can use "essentially able to" to indicate a fundamental capability, such as, "The new software is "essentially able to" process large datasets efficiently."

What are some alternatives to "essentially able to"?

Alternatives include "basically capable of", "virtually competent to", or "fundamentally equipped to", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "essentially be able to" instead of "essentially able to"?

"Essentially be able to" is grammatically sound but less concise. "Essentially able to" is a more direct and common way to express the same idea.

What's the difference between "essentially able to" and "fully able to"?

"Essentially able to" suggests a basic capability, while "fully able to" implies complete and unrestricted capability.