powerful to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "powerful to" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express the capability or effectiveness of something, but it requires additional context to be properly understood. Example: "The new software is powerful to enhance productivity in the workplace."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Even "the awesome power of yeast genetics" is not sufficiently powerful to tackle some experimental challenges.

Aging

The tools are too powerful to ignore.

The New York Times

And he was too powerful to ignore".

The New York Times - Magazine

ESPN is too powerful to doubt.

The New York Times - Sports

That was very powerful to me.

The Guardian - Film

But he is too powerful to ignore.

The New York Times

It was incredibly powerful to me".

The New York Times

He looked too powerful to wheel pies.

The New Yorker

Robots with AA-12s would be too powerful to ignore.

The New Yorker

"It's powerful to let people make these discoveries for themselves".

The New York Times

"There's something really powerful to a clean goodbye.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey the idea of capability, replace "powerful to" with more grammatically accepted alternatives like "able to", "capable of", or "effective at" for clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "powerful to" in academic or professional contexts. While it appears in some sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Instead, opt for stronger and clearer alternatives such as "capable of", which ensures your writing is both accurate and persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "powerful to" functions as an adjectival phrase, aiming to describe the capacity or ability of something. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is generally considered grammatically questionable and often requires rephrasing for improved clarity and correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

45%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "powerful to" appears across numerous sources, including news outlets and scientific publications, its grammatical correctness is questionable. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's advisable to opt for clearer and more precise alternatives like "able to", "capable of", or "effective at". These alternatives not only enhance grammatical accuracy but also ensure that your intended meaning is conveyed effectively. While "powerful to" is frequently used, adopting stronger alternatives elevates the quality and clarity of your writing, especially in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to

This alternative directly indicates capability, which is often the intended meaning of the original phrase.

capable of

This phrase is a more grammatically sound way to express the ability to perform a specific action.

effective at

Focuses on the success or efficiency in achieving a particular result.

sufficiently powerful to

Highlights the adequacy of power or ability for a given purpose.

strong enough to

Emphasizes the strength or force required to accomplish something.

potent enough to

Suggests a strong, almost chemical, effectiveness.

influential in

This indicates the ability to affect or shape something.

well-equipped to

Focuses on preparedness and having the necessary resources.

instrumental to

Highlights a crucial role in bringing about a particular outcome.

adept at

Indicates skill and proficiency in a specific area.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "powerful to" in a sentence?

While "powerful to" appears in some contexts, it's often grammatically incorrect. It's better to use phrases like "able to", "capable of", or "effective at".

What can I say instead of "powerful to"?

You can use alternatives like "able to", "capable of", or "strong enough to" depending on the context.

Is "powerful to" grammatically correct?

The phrase "powerful to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It is advisable to use alternatives like "able to" or "capable of" for better clarity and grammatical accuracy.

How does the meaning of "powerful to" compare to "capable of"?

While both suggest ability, "powerful to" is less grammatically sound. "Capable of" is a more direct and accepted way to express the ability to do something. Thus, use "capable of" instead of "powerful to" for better precision.