he is enabling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is enabling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who is providing support or facilitating a particular behavior or action, often in a context where that behavior may be negative or harmful. Example: "In his attempts to help, he is enabling her addiction by providing her with money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

First, he is enabling people to move out of harm's way, which by any standard is the most effective way of mitigating risk.

The New York Times

"I want the pope to recognize that by refusing to rethink the homophobia and transphobia that has been enshrined in church doctrine he is enabling the abuse and destitution of LGBT youths all over the world," Siciliano told The Huffington Post.

Huffington Post

His struggle with the extent to which he is enabling and constraining the patient's future is captured in his juxtaposition of words in this sentence: "…it was also opening doors to an enabling perspective to put something under, to put a jar with a lid, with a big 'D' written on it, thinking it helps accessing services".

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Rich has a very clever set of hands, and because of that he is enabled with the ability to innovate surgical techniques," said Roy Crowninshield, who was Zimmer's chief scientific officer. 1 2 Next Page ».

The New York Times

By viewing these situations objectively and reflecting on them, he is enabled to make his own moral decisions more wisely when life calls on him in turn to make them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He is enabled to commit great evil with impunity.

Huffington Post

Mr. Lore said in a blog post at the time that he was "enabling even more people to embrace this new way of shopping" by removing the fee.

The New York Times

I realize that he was enabling them to go somewhere they wouldn't normally go, giving them the confidence to do something that they weren't even aware they could do.

The New Yorker

One patient shared that if he let someone use drugs at his apartment, he was enabling them.

Vice

Through Lorenzo de' Medici he was enabled to spend three years in study at Rome.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In his own way, he's enabled by others unable to achieve anything at all without the aid of others but is oblivious to his dependency.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he is enabling", consider the implications of the action being enabled. Ensure clarity regarding whether the enabling is intentional or unintentional, and whether it has positive or negative consequences. Use the phrase to highlight the impact someone has in facilitating a particular outcome.

Common error

Be mindful of the often negative connotation of "enabling". While it can be neutral, it frequently suggests facilitating a negative behavior. If the action is positive, consider using words like "supporting" or "facilitating" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "he is enabling" is to act as a verb phrase, specifically the present continuous tense of the verb "enable". This indicates an ongoing action of making something possible or facilitating a particular behavior. Ludwig's examples showcase how this verb phrase functions within larger sentences to describe the subject's current impact or role.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is enabling" is a grammatically sound and usable verb phrase that indicates someone is currently facilitating or making something possible. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples across different contexts. While it often carries a negative connotation, this isn't always the case, and the specific nuance is contingent on context. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, maintaining a neutral register. When considering alternatives, ""he is facilitating"" and ""he is supporting"" offer more neutral options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is facilitating

Replaces "enabling" with a more neutral term, suggesting assistance without necessarily implying negative consequences.

he is supporting

Similar to "facilitating", but emphasizes providing assistance or encouragement.

he is permitting

Focuses on granting permission or allowing something to happen.

he is allowing

Similar to "permitting", but can also imply a lack of intervention or prevention.

he is contributing to

Suggests involvement in causing something to happen, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

he is fostering

Implies actively promoting or encouraging the development of something.

he is encouraging

Focuses on inspiring or motivating someone to take a particular action.

he is aiding

Highlights the act of providing help or assistance.

he is assisting

Similar to "aiding", but often implies a more formal or professional context.

he is empowering

Suggests giving someone the means or ability to do something.

FAQs

What does "he is enabling" mean?

The phrase "he is enabling" typically means that someone is facilitating or allowing a particular behavior or action, often with negative consequences. It suggests that the person is providing support or resources that allow the behavior to continue.

What can I say instead of "he is enabling"?

You can use alternatives like "he is facilitating", "he is supporting", or "he is allowing" depending on the context and the intended nuance.

Is "he is enabling" always negative?

While "he is enabling" often carries a negative connotation, it is not always the case. It depends on the context and the nature of the action or behavior being enabled. Sometimes, it can simply mean that someone is making it possible for something to happen.

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

You can use "he is enabling" in a sentence to describe how someone's actions or behaviors are contributing to a particular outcome or situation. For example, "By consistently bailing him out, he is enabling his irresponsible behavior."