just able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just able to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a minimal ability to do something, often implying that the action is only just achievable. Example: "After hours of practice, I was just able to finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And I was just able to jump in.

Yale University

"He was just able to put stuff by me.

Independent

They were only just able to scramble on board.

The New York Times

I was just able to get a good shot.

The New York Times

"He was just able to get a hand on it".

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm just able to play, not worry about things.

The New York Times - Sports

He was just able to make himself heard.

The New Yorker

I was just able to knock the shots down".

The New York Times - Sports

We're just able to achieve this on a much smaller scale," Dillon said.

Harvard University

We were just able to make a couple of plays at the end".

The New York Times - Sports

"I was just able to scoop up the rebound that actually hit me," Drury said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just able to" to convey a sense of minimal success or capability, indicating that an action was achieved with some difficulty or by a narrow margin.

Common error

While acceptable, "just able to" can sometimes sound less formal. In academic or professional contexts, consider alternatives like "barely capable of" or "managed to" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just able to" functions as a qualifier indicating a minimal level of ability or success in performing an action. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests the action was achieved by a narrow margin or with some degree of difficulty. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

20%

Sports

18%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "just able to" is a versatile expression used to indicate a minimal level of capability or success. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly employed across diverse contexts. Our analysis reveals that it functions primarily as a qualifier, conveying a sense of marginal achievement. While its register leans towards neutral, it is slightly less formal. Considering these aspects, writers should feel confident using "just able to" when aiming to communicate a sense of near-impossibility or hard-won success. For more formal or academic writing, consider alternatives such as "barely capable of" or "managed to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely able to

Implies a greater degree of difficulty or narrowness in achieving the ability.

only just able to

Adds emphasis to the marginal nature of the ability.

scarcely able to

Highlights the rarity or infrequency of being able to do something.

hardly able to

Suggests a significant challenge or obstacle in achieving the ability.

managed to

Focuses on the successful outcome despite potential difficulties.

succeeded in

Emphasizes the achievement of a specific goal or outcome.

capable of

Highlights the inherent ability or potential to perform an action.

in a position to

Indicates that circumstances allow for the possibility of performing an action.

could only

Suggests a limitation or restriction on what can be achieved.

on the verge of

Highlights the nearness of achieving a certain capability.

FAQs

How can I use "just able to" in a sentence?

"Just able to" is used to describe a situation where someone barely manages to do something. For example, "I was "just able to finish" the race before it started raining".

What are some alternatives to "just able to"?

Alternatives include "barely able to", "only just able to", or "scarcely able to depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "just able to"?

Yes, it is a correct and commonly used phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It indicates a minimal level of ability or success.

What's the difference between "just able to" and "able to"?

"Just able to" implies that the action was achieved with difficulty or by a narrow margin, while "able to" simply indicates the capacity to do something without implying difficulty. For instance, "I'm "able to swim"" vs. "I was "just able to swim" to shore after the boat capsized".