ordinarily able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ordinarily able to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's typical capability or capacity to do something under normal circumstances. Example: "She is ordinarily able to complete her assignments on time, but this week has been particularly challenging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Having read that sprinters would retain muscle memory when they ran faster than they were ordinarily able to, he also developed a unique system for training his distance runners.

The New Yorker

E. coli EF-G, which is not ordinarily able to bind FusB-type proteins, was rendered competent for binding to FusB following deletion of a 3-residue tract (529SNP531) from domain IV of the protein.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Under the rules, hospitals will ordinarily be able to share information with a patient's close relatives and will be able to disclose limited information, like the patient's condition, to anyone who inquires.

The New York Times

Available for the iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone and Windows, TU Go allows O2 customers to place calls, send texts and check voicemail over the internet, but will work on non-smartphones including computers and tablets, which wouldn't ordinarily be able to make or receive calls or messages.

The Guardian - Tech

In recent weeks, the Fed has scrambled for solutions to ease the credit crisis, last week throwing open its doors to investment banks and other primary dealers that wouldn't ordinarily be able to borrow directly from it.

Forbes

One other trick they have used very effectively [is] an entry level ice cream which fuels the ability for consumers who might not ordinarily be able to afford to become a customer".

BBC

Credit card penetration is as low as just 2percentt so cash opens its service up to potentially millions of customers who wouldn't ordinarily be able to use it.

TechCrunch

The law prevents school boards from laying off teachers or cutting programs in the interest of balancing their budgets, measures school districts would ordinarily be able to take during the summer in anticipation of the coming school year.

Huffington Post

In some cases, they can become more vulnerable and regress in terms of needing more parental support for decisions they may ordinarily be able to make.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Despite struggling with her starts, she ordinarily has been able to compensate with a move in the middle of the race.

The New York Times - Sports

Ordinarily, to be able to employ FD processing at the receiver, a cyclic prefix (CP) that is at least as long as the channel is added to each transmitted data block such that the linear convolution of the channel and the transmitted data block can be expressed as an equivalent circular convolution operation and an FD signal model can be derived.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ordinarily able to" when describing a capability that is true under normal or expected circumstances. It implies a condition where the ability might not always be present.

Common error

Avoid using "ordinarily able to" when describing a universal or constant ability. If something is always true, a simpler phrase like "always able to" or "capable of" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ordinarily able to" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a typical or expected capability. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, as exemplified in its use to describe typical capacities under normal circumstances.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ordinarily able to" describes a typical capability or capacity under normal circumstances, implying that this ability may not always be present. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct. While not overly common, as indicated by its "Uncommon" frequency, the phrase appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, lending credibility to its usage. The contexts range from news reporting to scientific articles, indicating versatility. Remember to use it when describing conditional abilities and avoid overstating constant or universal capabilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Usually capable of

Emphasizes the habitual or typical nature of the capability.

Typically competent to

Focuses on the expected level of skill or proficiency.

Ordinarily in a state to

Focuses on the typical condition or readiness to perform the action.

Generally equipped to

Highlights the preparedness or resources available to perform the action.

Normally in a position to

Indicates the usual circumstances that allow for the action.

Customarily empowered to

Stresses the authority or right to perform the action.

Routinely authorized to

Highlights the standard approval or permission for the action.

Commonly permitted to

Focuses on the usual allowance or acceptance of the action.

Habitually inclined to

Indicates a usual tendency or willingness to perform the action.

Regularly predisposed to

Stresses the normal inclination or readiness for the action.

FAQs

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

Use "ordinarily able to" to describe a typical capability that might not always be present. For example, "She is ordinarily able to complete her assignments on time, but this week has been particularly challenging."

What can I say instead of "ordinarily able to"?

You can use alternatives like "usually capable of", "typically competent to", or "generally equipped to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "ordinarily able to" or "usually able to"?

Both "ordinarily able to" and "usually able to" are correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. "Ordinarily" might suggest a slightly more formal tone.

What's the difference between "ordinarily able to" and "sometimes able to"?

"Ordinarily able to" implies a typical capability, while "sometimes able to" suggests the ability is not consistent and depends on specific circumstances.