is he able

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is he able" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about someone's capability or capacity to perform a specific action or task. Example: "I wonder if he is able to complete the project by the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

So is he able to answer my questions?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"All I want to know is: is he able?

The New Yorker

How is he able to inhabit the various cultural universes his book animates?

The Guardian - Books

Why, according to the writer, is he able to do so?

The New York Times

The author is not the best authority on his own book, nor is he able to control its reception.

The Guardian - Books

If so, is he able to curb those who seek Shia hegemony or the reassertion of Sunni power?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

How was he able to do that?

Independent

Was he able to speak?

The Guardian

Not until 1548 was he able to recognize her publicly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

How was he able to get in?

Forbes

Was he able to cut domestic spending?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking if someone is "able", follow with a 'to + verb' construction to clarify what they're able to do, e.g., "Is he able to complete the project on time?"

Common error

Avoid using "is he able" when you actually want to know if someone is willing to do something. Ability refers to capability, while willingness refers to motivation. For example, instead of "Is he able to help?", consider "Is he willing to help?" if you're questioning his desire rather than his capacity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is he able" functions primarily as an interrogative clause used to inquire about someone's capacity or capability. It seeks to determine whether an individual possesses the necessary skills, resources, or circumstances to perform a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is he able" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to inquire about someone's capacity or potential to perform a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from informal discussions to more formal settings, such as news reports and business communications. The phrase primarily functions as an interrogative clause, aiming to elicit information about an individual's competence. While "is he able" is widely accepted, it's important to differentiate between ability and willingness, ensuring the correct phrase is used to convey the intended meaning. Alternatives such as "can he" or "is he capable" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can he

Direct synonym focusing on ability.

is he capable

Replaces "able" with its synonym "capable".

does he have the ability

Expands on the concept of ability.

is he equipped

Focuses on preparedness and resources.

is he in a position

Highlights the circumstances allowing action.

is he empowered

Emphasizes the authority or permission to act.

is he permitted

Focuses on whether he has been granted permission.

is he qualified

Highlights the presence of necessary qualifications.

is he up to it

An idiomatic way of asking if someone is capable.

can he manage

Focuses on the ability to handle a task or situation.

FAQs

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

Use "is he able" to inquire about someone's capacity or capability to perform an action. For example, "Is he able to attend the meeting tomorrow?" or "Is he able to complete the task by the deadline?"

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

You can use alternatives like "can he", "is he capable", or "does he have the ability" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is he able to" or "is he capable to"?

"Is he able to" and "is he capable of" are both correct, but "is he capable to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is "is he capable of" followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing) or a noun.

What's the difference between "is he able to" and "is he willing to"?

"Is he able to" refers to someone's capacity or capability to do something, while "is he willing to" refers to someone's readiness or desire to do something. One concerns ability, the other concerns motivation.