have been able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been able to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that has been successfully achieved or accomplished despite difficulty or opposition. For example: "Thanks to my hard work and dedication, I have been able to secure a promotion at my job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have been able to do that.

The New York Times - Sports

We'd have been able to cope.

The Guardian

You wouldn't have been able to breathe".

The New York Times

"Yet purchasers have been able to obtain financing, and unit owners have been able to refinance".

The New York Times

We wouldn't have been able to do it without you!

Yale University

have been able to make a dent in the situation.

Columbia University

"Most people have been able to figure out ATMs.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I have been able to meet some remarkable people.

Cornell University

Should they have been able to sue the city?

Stanford University

(Anyway, I wouldn't have been able to cram in).

The Guardian - Books

So we have been able to do more early intervention.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been able to" to emphasize the successful overcoming of obstacles or challenges in achieving a particular outcome.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions with "have been able to". Opt for active voice where appropriate to make your writing more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "Results have been able to be seen", try "Researchers successfully observed the results".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been able to" functions as a modal verb construction, indicating the ability or capacity to perform an action. This construction is widely accepted in standard English, as Ludwig AI confirms, and is frequently used to describe accomplishments or possibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been able to" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express past ability, successful achievement, or available opportunity. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted and used across various contexts, from formal academic writing to informal conversations. The phrase is particularly frequent in news media and academic sources. While alternatives like "managed to" and "succeeded in" exist, "have been able to" provides a clear and effective way to communicate the capacity to perform an action. Pay attention to avoid overuse of passive voice when using this construction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

managed to

Implies successfully achieving something, often with effort or difficulty.

succeeded in

Focuses on the successful outcome of an endeavor.

were capable of

Highlights the inherent ability or capacity to do something.

had the capacity to

Emphasizes the availability of necessary resources or conditions.

found it possible to

Indicates that something became feasible or achievable.

were in a position to

Highlights the favorable circumstances that allowed an action.

could

A more concise way to express past ability or possibility.

were permitted to

Focuses on being granted permission or authorization.

were authorized to

Stresses the official approval or sanction for an action.

accomplished

Focuses on the act of successfully completing or achieving something.

FAQs

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

Use "have been able to" to describe a past ability or achievement, such as, "Thanks to our efforts, we "have been able to" reduce costs significantly."

What are some alternatives to using "have been able to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "managed to", "succeeded in", or "were capable of".

Is it correct to say "has been able to" instead of "have been able to"?

"Has been able to" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "He has been able to"), while "have been able to" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They have been able to") or the pronoun "I" or "you".

What's the difference between "was able to" and "have been able to"?

"Was able to" refers to a single instance of successfully doing something in the past. "Have been able to" implies a repeated or ongoing ability or achievement over a period of time. For example, "I was able to fix the car yesterday" vs. "I "have been able to" maintain it well over the years".