perfectly able

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perfectly able" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize someone's capability or competence in a particular task or situation. Example: "Despite the challenges, she is perfectly able to handle the responsibilities of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Then he felt better and perfectly able to carry on with Maria.

The New Yorker

And he was perfectly able to entertain Iran's awful former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Moscow.

Independent

His own government was perfectly "able and willing" to try the perpetrators itself.

The Economist

American oil companies are perfectly able to gather information and make their own investment decisions.

The New York Times

The reality is that, unless the children undergo extreme training, they are perfectly able to cope.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We have so much material, I think we'd be perfectly able to do it.

The Guardian - Music

Even planes with only two engines are perfectly able to fly with just one.

The New York Times

"I feel perfectly able to continue in my role," Waters said.

The Guardian

"I would have been perfectly able to lose Freddy on my own," she says.

The New York Times

Therefore it would be perfectly able to match my "semantic footprint" to others'.

The Guardian - Tech

Indeed, Lincoln was perfectly able to work on colonization in 1863 and afterward without constantly issuing public updates.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perfectly able" to clearly and confidently express someone's capacity to perform a task or handle a situation without difficulty. This emphasizes their competence and preparedness.

Common error

Avoid using "perfectly able" when a more modest term like "able" or "capable" would be more accurate. Overusing "perfectly" can make claims sound exaggerated or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perfectly able" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's capability. As Ludwig AI highlights, it emphasizes the completeness of their ability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "perfectly able" is a common and grammatically correct way to express someone's complete capability. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While generally neutral in register, avoid overusing it to maintain sincerity. Alternatives like "fully capable" or "entirely competent" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remember to use "perfectly able" to add emphasis to ability and be mindful of potentially overstating a capability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fully capable

Emphasizes complete capability, similar to "perfectly able" but without the added emphasis of 'perfectly'.

entirely competent

Focuses on competence and completeness, differing from "perfectly able" by highlighting skill rather than just ability.

thoroughly qualified

Highlights the qualifications one possesses, implying suitability for a specific role or task. The difference is that it focuses on the credentials not just the ability.

eminently qualified

Similar to "thoroughly qualified" but with a stronger emphasis on exceptional qualifications.

completely equipped

Focuses on having all necessary resources or skills. Differs from "perfectly able" by emphasizing preparedness.

well-suited

Indicates a good match or fit for a particular purpose or role, rather than a general capability.

adept

Implies skill and proficiency in a particular area, making it more specific than "perfectly able".

highly proficient

Stresses a high level of skill or expertise, contrasting with the more general sense of capability in "perfectly able".

skilled

Indicates possession of skill in a particular area, thus reducing the scope of the term to something more concrete.

expert

Signifies specialized knowledge or skill. It does not highlight the general ability, instead pointing to specific expertise.

FAQs

How can I use "perfectly able" in a sentence?

Use "perfectly able" to describe someone's competence or capacity to perform a task. For example, "She is "perfectly able" to manage the project on her own."

What are some alternatives to "perfectly able"?

You can use alternatives like "fully capable", "entirely competent", or "thoroughly qualified" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "perfectly able"?

It's appropriate to use "perfectly able" when you want to emphasize that someone has no difficulty in doing something, highlighting their confidence and skill. However, consider the tone and avoid overstatement.

Is there a difference between "able" and "perfectly able"?

Yes, "perfectly able" adds emphasis to the ability, suggesting a higher degree of competence or confidence than simply being "able". The inclusion of "perfectly" intensifies the degree of ability.