is be able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is be able to" is not correct.
You would instead use "is able to" or "can." For example: "She is able to take on more responsibility at work."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Will the new president, whoever he or she is, be able to change much?

The Guardian

"What I hope for him to do is be able to make the communication calls and play under control," Henderson said.

The New York Times - Sports

And what you can notice watching it, or what anyone navigating the scene would have to do, is be able to recognize objects, people, and their actions.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Furthermore, the fault diagnosis strategy is be able to distinguish when the operator is carrying out load power changes free of fault as normal operating conditions.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Now all the city needs to do is be able to remove water that falls from the sky throughout every single year.

The Guardian

"What you want to do is be able to come into office and make tough decisions, and have time to show the wisdom of those decisions before you have to face the voters again".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

That's all acting is, being able to play.

The Guardian

The first is being able to watch the landscape change.

The New York Times

"The beauty of coaching yourself is being able to be really flexible," Hall said.

The New York Times - Sports

"So much of it these days is being able to be viral," she said.

The New York Times

"What the issue is, is being able to put the opinions of the Assembly into the final equation," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "is be able to" in formal writing. Replace it with "is able to" or "can" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

The most common mistake is the incorrect use of "be" with "able to". Always use "is able to" or "can" instead of "is be able to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is be able to" is an incorrect attempt to express ability or capacity. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the correct forms are "is able to" or "can". The function it aims for is to indicate someone or something has the capacity to perform an action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

29%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is be able to" is a grammatically incorrect way to express ability or capacity. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct alternatives are "is able to" or "can". Although the phrase appears in various sources, including news and media outlets, its incorrect usage affects its overall quality and credibility. When writing, it's advisable to use the corrected forms to ensure clarity and accuracy. Some other formal alternatives include "is capable of", "has the capacity to", or "is equipped to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is able to

Corrects the grammatical error while retaining the original meaning.

can

A simpler and more direct way to express ability.

is capable of

Emphasizes inherent ability or competence.

has the capacity to

Focuses on the potential or maximum ability.

is in a position to

Highlights the circumstances that allow someone to do something.

is equipped to

Suggests having the necessary tools or resources.

is qualified to

Implies having the necessary qualifications or training.

is permitted to

Indicates that someone has the authority or permission to do something.

is entitled to

Implies that someone has a right or claim to do something.

is authorized to

Specifies that someone has official approval to do something.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "is be able to"?

The grammatically correct alternatives are "is able to" or the simpler "can".

Why is "is be able to" incorrect?

The phrase "is be able to" includes an unnecessary "be" verb. The correct structure only needs "is able to" or the modal verb "can".

When should I use "can" instead of "is able to"?

"Can" is generally more concise and suitable for everyday language. "Is able to" is often used when emphasizing the ability or in more formal contexts. Consider the subtle difference between "is capable of" depending on the context.

What are some formal alternatives to "is be able to"?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "is capable of", "has the capacity to", or "is equipped to" instead of the incorrect "is be able to".