is able to help

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is able to help" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating someone's capability or capacity to provide assistance or support. Example: "The new software is able to help users manage their tasks more efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The assistant is able to help you now".

The New Yorker

Luckily, Clifford is able to help by thinking of images for the shirts.

The New York Times - Tech

Their father, who speaks mostly Creole, is able to help them with homework.

The New York Times

I am delighted that Nationwide is able to help at least one family".

The Guardian - Money

If either player is able to help the team moving forward, it will have been a productive camp.

The New York Times

Ms. Pulliza is able to help with housework, especially mopping, which she says is hard for her mother.

The New York Times

Sonnenberg describes one friend who is able to help her bury the long-festering anger at her husband for the abortion early in their marriage.

The New York Times - Books

What's more, Bibby earned a plus/minus rating of +13, further showing he is able to help his team build or maintain a strong lead.

The New York Times

If the fourth industrial revolution is able to help people focus on those things that give our lives value, robotic workers almost present as a moral imperative.

The Guardian

Based in Leeds, CCCS is able to help people with debt problems wherever they live in the UK, through its free national telephone service (0800 138 1111), ten regional centres and online debt remedy service ( cccs.co.uk/debtremedy).co.uk/debtremedy

Independent

"We know that siblings provide immigrants an immediate social support system, that is able to help them with child care or if they fall on hard times, or instances where they need some help to start a business.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the potential or capability to assist in the future, "is able to help" is a useful phrase. For instance: "This technology is able to help us reduce carbon emissions."

Common error

Avoid using "is able to help" excessively in passive constructions. Opt for active voice when possible to make your writing more direct and engaging. Instead of "The problem is able to be helped by this solution", try "This solution can help the problem."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is able to help" functions as a predicate adjective followed by an infinitive verb. It expresses the capacity or capability of a subject to provide assistance or support. Ludwig's examples show it used in varied contexts, from technological capabilities to personal assistance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is able to help" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression that signifies the capacity to provide assistance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts, from scientific publications to news articles. While alternatives like "can help" exist, "is able to help" is valuable when emphasizing capability. Remember to avoid overuse in passive constructions and use active voice for more impactful writing. As evidenced by numerous examples, this expression is a reliable choice for conveying helpfulness and support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can assist

A more concise and direct alternative using the modal verb "can".

is available to help

Indicates accessibility and willingness to provide assistance.

is capable of helping

Emphasizes the inherent capability or capacity to assist.

has the capacity to help

Stresses the potential or ability to offer assistance.

is prepared to help

Stresses the readiness and willingness to assist, often implying prior planning.

is in a position to assist

Highlights the situational readiness or opportunity to provide help.

is ready to assist

Highlights preparedness and willingness to offer help.

can be of assistance

A more formal way of offering help or indicating the ability to assist.

is equipped to help

Focuses on having the necessary resources or skills to assist.

is qualified to help

Implies possessing the necessary qualifications or expertise to assist.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives such as "can assist", "is capable of helping", or "is available to help" depending on the context.

Is "is able to help" formal or informal?

The phrase "is able to help" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more concise options like "can help" might be preferred in informal settings.

How can I use "is able to help" in a sentence?

You can use "is able to help" to indicate someone or something's capacity to provide assistance. For example: "The new software "is able to help" users manage their tasks more efficiently."

What is the difference between "is able to help" and "can help"?

While both phrases express the ability to assist, "can help" is more concise and direct. "Is able to help" might be used when you want to emphasize the capability or potential for assistance, or in more formal contexts.