feel able

USAGE SUMMARY

"feel able" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this expression to describe having the courage or ability to do something. For example, "I finally feel able to take on this challenge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, not all victims feel able to talk about the feelings they're left to grapple with.

Vice

We don't feel able to criticise.

The Guardian

"Women must feel able to speak out".

The Guardian

Where you feel able to express yourself in another way.

The Guardian - Film

Holmes suggests that people don't always feel able to complain.

The Guardian

Do you feel able to influence events in your area?

The Guardian - Opinion

You feel able to handle the tough pitches".

The New York Times - Sports

So he didn't even feel able to comment on it.

The Guardian

"I feel able to make my own decisions".

The New Yorker

A pseudonym gives them the liberty to write things they might not otherwise feel able to.

The Economist

But most women don't know the law and don't feel able to challenge.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel able" when you want to convey a sense of having the confidence, capacity, or permission to do something. It emphasizes a personal assessment of one's capabilities.

Common error

While "feel able" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can sound less professional. Consider stronger alternatives like "are capable of" or "are authorized to" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel able" functions as a subjective assessment of one's capabilities or state of mind. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses the courage or ability to do something. Examples show its use in describing the capacity to speak out, handle challenges, or make decisions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

22%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feel able" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that describes a subjective sense of capability, confidence, or permission. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage for expressing the courage or ability to do something. It appears most frequently in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral register. While generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "are capable of" in professional settings. When using "feel able", ensure it accurately reflects a personal assessment of one's own readiness or capacity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel capable

Focuses more on inherent ability or skill, rather than a general feeling of readiness.

feel empowered

Emphasizes the sense of having been given the power or authority to do something.

feel competent

Highlights the possession of necessary skills or knowledge.

feel ready

Indicates a state of preparedness, either physically or mentally.

feel up to

An informal way of expressing feeling capable or willing to do something, often implying a challenge.

feel inclined

Suggests a willingness or disposition towards doing something, but not necessarily capability.

feel prepared

Similar to "feel ready", but with a stronger emphasis on prior planning or training.

feel equal to

Highlights the sense of being on par with the demands or challenges of a situation.

feel in a position to

Emphasizes having the right circumstances or conditions to do something.

feel authorized

Highlights the sense of having permission or official approval to do something.

FAQs

How can I use "feel able" in a sentence?

You can use "feel able" to describe a sense of capability or willingness, such as "I "feel able" to take on this new project" or "After the training, I "feel able" to handle the situation".

What can I say instead of "feel able"?

You can use alternatives like "feel capable", "feel empowered", or "feel ready" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "I don't feel able to"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct to say "I don't "feel able" to". It expresses a lack of confidence, capacity, or willingness to do something.

What's the difference between "feel able to" and "be able to"?

"Feel able to" emphasizes the subjective sense of capability, while "be able to" focuses on objective ability. For example, "I "feel able" to run a marathon" suggests confidence, whereas "I am able to run a marathon" states the physical capacity.