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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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is able to found

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is able to found" is not correct in standard written English. It should be used in contexts where the meaning is to establish or create something, but it is not a standard construction. An example could be: "She is able to found a new organization." Alternative expressions include "can establish" and "is capable of founding."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Therefore, the TransTermHP program is able to found only canonical sequences [ 16].

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

What about being able to find work?

News & Media

The New York Times

We were able to find very few".

News & Media

The Guardian

We might be able to find them.

News & Media

The New Yorker

They were able to find work.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Not being able to find your keys is frustrating.

Being able to find $50 to $100 tickets per show is harder.

News & Media

The Guardian

"I haven't been able to find work since then.

News & Media

The New York Times

People haven't been able to find it.

News & Media

The Guardian

I've never been able to find it.

News & Media

The New York Times

You'll be able to find it here.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the act of establishing an organization or institution, prefer using the verb "establish" or "found" with appropriate auxiliary verbs (e.g., "is able to establish", "can found") instead of the unidiomatic construction "is able to found".

Common error

Be mindful of combining "able to" with the base form of verbs that do not logically follow. "Found" requires a different construction; ensure you're using it correctly with auxiliary verbs like "establish" or using "found" in the past tense if that's your intent.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

93%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is able to found" attempts to express the ability to establish or create something. However, it's grammatically unconventional. Ludwig AI analysis suggests that more appropriate alternatives should be considered for clarity and correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is able to found" is grammatically questionable and not recommended for use. Ludwig analysis indicates that the intended meaning – expressing the ability to establish something – can be better conveyed through alternatives like "is able to establish", "can found", or "is capable of founding". Given the limited and inconsistent usage, especially in authoritative sources, it's advisable to opt for more standard and grammatically sound alternatives, ensuring clarity and professionalism in your writing.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the word "found" in a sentence?

To use "found" correctly, ensure it aligns with its meaning of establishing or creating something. For example, you might say, "She can found a new charity" or "The organization was founded in 1995".

What is a better way to say "is able to found"?

Instead of "is able to found", you can use alternatives such as "is capable of founding", "is able to establish", or simply "can found".

What's the difference between "is able to found" and "is able to establish"?

"Is able to found" is not a standard construction. A correct alternative is "is able to establish". Both phrases express the capacity to set up something, but "establish" is more commonly used and grammatically correct.

Can I use "is able to found" in formal writing?

No, "is able to found" is not suitable for formal writing due to its unidiomatic nature. Use more accepted alternatives such as "is able to establish" or "is capable of founding" for formal contexts.

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Source & Trust

93%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: