he is able

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is able" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example: John has always been a hard worker, and he is able to handle multiple tasks at once.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He is able to respond vocally".

The New York Times

He is able to obtain medical care.

The Economist

"He is able to listen.

The New York Times - Sports

Again, he is able to walk out.

The Guardian - Film

He is able to earn his living.

The New Yorker

The doubt is whether he is able to do so.

The Economist

It appears he is able to do as he pleases.

The Guardian

He is able to get precisely what he wants.

The New York Times

At first he is able to shave them off.

The New York Times

If he is able to land his 140-m.p.h.

The New York Times

And he is able to self-finance his photo projects.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "he is able to" is generally interchangeable with "he can", use "he can" in informal contexts to keep the tone conversational.

Common error

Avoid using "he is able" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. "He can" is usually more appropriate and natural. Overusing "he is able" can make your writing sound stilted or overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "he is able" is to express someone's capacity, skill, or opportunity to perform a specific action. It functions as a modal phrase indicating ability or potential. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts, highlighting different capabilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is able" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating someone's capacity or potential. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and applicable in diverse writing contexts. While interchangeable with the more concise "he can", "he is able" often provides added emphasis, especially in formal settings. It is prevalent across various sources, including news, science, and business publications. When writing, consider using "he can" for a more conversational tone and "he is able" to highlight specific capabilities or in situations requiring more formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he can

A more concise and common way to express ability or possibility.

he is capable of

Emphasizes inherent ability or potential.

he has the ability to

Highlights the possession of a specific skill or capacity.

he is permitted to

Implies permission or authorization to do something.

he is allowed to

Similar to 'permitted to', indicating allowance or consent.

he is in a position to

Suggests the existence of favorable circumstances or resources.

he has the capacity to

Focuses on the maximum amount that someone can contain or accomplish.

he is qualified to

Indicates that someone meets the necessary requirements or standards.

he is empowered to

Suggests that someone has been given the power or authority to act.

he is enabled to

Implies that something has made it possible for him to do something.

FAQs

What does "he is able" mean?

"He is able" means that someone has the capacity, skill, or opportunity to do something. It indicates capability or possibility.

How to use "he is able" in a sentence?

You can use "he is able" to describe someone's capacity to perform a task, such as, "He is able to speak fluently" or "he is able to earn his living".

Which is correct, "he is able to" or "he can"?

Both phrases are generally correct and express the same idea. "He can" is more concise and common, while "he is able to" can add emphasis in certain contexts.

What are some alternatives to "he is able to"?

You can use alternatives like "he can", "he is capable of", or "he has the ability to" depending on the context.