he was able

USAGE SUMMARY

"he was able" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when speaking about something that someone has the capability or ability to do. For example, "After months of practice, he was able to perfectly recite the poem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He was able to play.

The New York Times - Sports

He was able to sit down.

The New York Times

He was able to do that today".

The New York Times - Sports

He was able to glimpse his girlfriend.

The New York Times

"He was able to take his time".

The New Yorker

He was able to tenaciously pursue it".

The New Yorker

He was able to beat up Alex.

The New York Times - Sports

He was able to smile.

The New York Times - Sports

"He was able to fight.

The New York Times - Sports

He was able to return.

The New York Times - Sports

He was able to keep going.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was able" to clearly and directly state someone's capacity or success in performing an action. Avoid vague language that could obscure the meaning.

Common error

Be careful not to unintentionally use "he was able" when a more direct active voice construction would be clearer. For example, instead of "He was able to fix the car" consider "He fixed the car" if the focus is on the action and not specifically on his ability to do so.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was able" functions as a modal construction indicating someone's capacity or successful execution of an action. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in diverse contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was able" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express someone's capability or success in performing an action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides ample real-world examples. It's versatile enough for various contexts, as evidenced by its prevalence in news, media, and scientific sources. When writing, ensure to emphasize actual ability or achieved success when using the phrase. Consider active voice constructions for more directness and avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "he managed to" or "he had the ability to" can provide subtle changes in meaning. Be sure to choose the most suitable phrase for the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

He had the ability to

Emphasizes inherent capability rather than a specific instance of success.

He was capable of

Highlights the potential or capacity to do something, but not necessarily the action itself.

He managed to

Indicates success in achieving something, often despite difficulty.

He succeeded in

Similar to 'managed to', but places more emphasis on the achievement.

He found a way to

Suggests resourcefulness and determination in accomplishing something.

He was in a position to

Focuses on having the necessary circumstances or resources to act.

He had the opportunity to

Emphasizes the availability of a chance or occasion to do something.

He was empowered to

Highlights that authority or permission was granted to perform the action.

He was permitted to

Implies formal authorization or consent to do something.

He was authorized to

Indicates official approval or sanction to perform a specific action.

FAQs

How can I use "he was able" in a sentence?

Use "he was able" to describe a situation where someone had the capacity or opportunity to do something. For instance, "After the surgery, "he was able to walk" again".

What are some alternatives to saying "he was able"?

Depending on the context, consider using phrases like "he managed to", "he succeeded in", or "he had the ability to".

Is there a difference between "he was able to" and "he could"?

"He could" generally implies a potential or general ability, whereas "he was able to" often refers to a specific instance where the ability was exercised or realized. For example, “He could speak French” (general ability) vs “"he was able to speak French" to the tourist” (specific instance).

When is it better to use "he was able to" instead of simply saying what he did?

Use "he was able to" when you want to emphasize the person's capacity or effort in achieving something, especially if there was a challenge or obstacle involved. For example, "Despite the injury, "he was able to finish the race"" highlights his resilience.