is she able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is she able to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to inquire about someone's capability or permission to do something. Example: "I wonder if she is able to complete the project by the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

How is she able to convey the strange power of the city once (and now again) known as St . Petersburg with its "crushingly magnificent" buildings, its "beauty built on bones"?

The New York Times - Books

For not only is she able to deliver an exhilarating exposition of ancient Greek and Platonic thought, she also brings Plato back to life, by having him conduct a series of dialogues in current-day America.

The Guardian - Books

As the isolation grows more pronounced, she finally stops speaking, and only through work on an art project is she able to face what really happened at the party.

The Guardian

Not only is she able to follow the daily activities of her family -- her mom; dad; teenage sister, Lindsey; and baby brother, Buckley -- but she's also able to rewind their lives, to relive moments from their past from a cosmic VCR.

The New York Times - Books

Only then is she able to defeat Adam.

Wikipedia

How is she able to do all these things?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

How was she able to write so many bestsellers?

Independent

Was she able to resolve her relationship with him when he was alive?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Was she able to learn this just by looking at some handwriting?

The Guardian - Books

When Danielle picked up the black Lab, was she able to pick up the blond Lab?

SEP

"In the last year she's proven that's she's able to have great results consistently.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking if someone is capable of a specific action, consider the context. "Can she" is more direct, while "is she able to" can sound more formal or inquisitive.

Common error

In casual conversation, stick to the simpler "can she?". The phrase "is she able to" can sound overly formal or stiff when a more relaxed tone is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is she able to" functions as an interrogative clause, primarily used to inquire about a female individual's capacity, skill, or permission to perform a specific action. As Ludwig AI highlights, it seeks to determine if she possesses the necessary means or authorization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is she able to" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to inquire about a female individual's capacity or permission to perform an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, from formal news reports to scientific inquiries. While "can she" serves as a more direct alternative, "is she able to" provides a clear and often more formal approach. Its prevalence in news, wiki and science contexts underscores its widespread applicability. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the context to ensure the tone aligns appropriately, opting for simpler alternatives in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can she

Uses a more direct auxiliary verb to express ability or possibility.

is she capable of

Replaces 'able' with 'capable', emphasizing inherent ability or potential.

does she have the ability to

Expands the phrase to explicitly mention 'ability', adding emphasis.

is it possible for her to

Shifts the focus to possibility rather than inherent ability.

will she be able to

Shifts the question to a future ability or possibility.

is she in a position to

Focuses on whether circumstances allow her to do something.

is she permitted to

Indicates whether she has permission or authorization.

is she qualified to

Highlights whether she has the necessary qualifications or training.

is she equipped to

Emphasizes whether she has the necessary tools or resources.

is she up to

Informal way of asking if she feels well/strong enough for some activity

FAQs

What can I say instead of "is she able to"?

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

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

The phrase "is she able to" is used to inquire about someone's capability or permission to do something. For example: "Is she able to complete the project by the deadline?"

Is "is she able to" formal or informal?

The phrase "is she able to" leans towards the formal side but is generally acceptable in most contexts. "Can she" is a more informal alternative.

What's the difference between "is she able to" and "is she going to"?

"Is she able to" refers to capability or possibility, while "is she going to" refers to intention or future action. For example, "Is she able to lift that?" (capability) versus "Is she going to lift that?" (intention).