largely able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "largely able to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has a significant capacity or capability to do something, but not entirely or completely. Example: "The team is largely able to meet the project deadlines, though some tasks may require additional resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

However, because of the large volume and richness of data we were largely able to avoid gaps in the theory.

BMC Psychiatry

If they even were needed, as the Soviet Union was largely able to hold back the Germans on their own.

University of California, Berkeley

Yet, for some reason, agriculture has been largely able to avoid the attention of emissions reductions policies.

Yale University

By assuming that capital markets worked perfectly, macroeconomists were largely able to ignore the economy's financial plumbing.

The Economist

The US central midfield pairing of Kyle Beckerman and Maurice Edu were largely able to contain the defensive-minded French duo of Yann M'Vila and Alou Diarra.

The Guardian - Sport

And yet, the publisher of The Times, John Puerner, was largely able to shield the newsroom from the bulk of the cuts during that period.

The New York Times

Patco began a series of work slowdowns and sickouts that the F.A.A. was largely able to quell with little real improvement in working conditions.

The New York Times

Nixon, the candidate of activists who want to dismantle the conservative wing of the state's Democratic Party, was largely able to deliver that message.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

AT&T and Verizon have largely been able to buy outright the spectrum they need.

The New York Times - Tech

On AI censorship: Zuck says machine learning will largely be able to automate censorship.

MIT Technology Review

We in Gaza are witnesses to the deaths of scores of our children, while Israeli television has largely been able to parade only the coffins of soldiers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "largely able to", ensure the context clarifies what factors might prevent complete ability or success. Be specific about the limitations.

Common error

Avoid using "largely able to" when the capability is minimal or ineffective. This phrase implies a significant degree of competence, so ensure it aligns with the actual situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "largely able to" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a verb, indicating the degree to which an entity possesses the capacity to perform a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms the usability and correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

29%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "largely able to" is a versatile construction used to indicate a significant, but not complete, capacity to perform an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news, academic writing, and general informational sources. When using "largely able to", consider the specific limitations that prevent complete ability, and ensure your language accurately reflects the degree of capability being described. Remember, phrases like "mostly capable of" or "generally able to" offer similar nuances, but adjust the semantic meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mostly capable of

Emphasizes capability rather than the extent of the ability.

generally able to

Highlights the usual or common ability, rather than an exceptional instance.

primarily capable of

Focuses on the main or chief ability.

substantially competent to

Replaces "able" with "competent" and "largely" with "substantially", indicating significant proficiency.

considerably equipped to

Highlights being equipped or prepared, implying capability derived from resources or preparation.

significantly positioned to

Focuses on the favorable position or circumstances that enable action.

widely empowered to

Emphasizes the authorization or power granted, indicating a broad scope of enablement.

largely in a position to

Shifts focus to the state of being 'in a position', suggesting circumstances permit the action.

mainly apt to

Replaces "able" with "apt", suggesting a natural tendency or suitability.

effectively in a state to

Highlights being in a state or condition that allows for effective action.

FAQs

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

Use "largely able to" to indicate that someone or something has a significant capability to do something, but not entirely or completely. For example: "The team is largely able to meet the project deadlines, though some tasks may require additional resources."

What are some alternatives to "largely able to"?

You can use alternatives like "mostly capable of", "generally able to", or "primarily capable of" depending on the context.

What does "largely" mean in the context of "largely able to"?

In the phrase "largely able to", "largely" means to a great extent or degree, but not entirely. It suggests that the ability is substantial but not complete.

Is it more appropriate to say "largely able to" or "completely able to"?

The choice depends on the specific context. Use "completely able to" when the ability is absolute and without limitations. Use "largely able to" when there are some limitations or conditions affecting the ability. For example a "mostly capable of" approach is valid.