really able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really able to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize someone's capability or capacity to do something. Example: "I am really able to complete this project on time if I focus and manage my time well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet we're never really able to act on them.

The New Yorker

"Families are really able to be more resilient to shocks.

The Guardian

"She, however, is really able to unload on me".

The New York Times

I was really able to distinguish between that and me.

The Guardian - Film

"I'm not sure she was ever really able to.

The New Yorker

Were they really able to follow it all?

The Guardian

So they were never really able to access outside financing.

The Guardian

"I was not really able to use that leg and drive toward the plate".

The New York Times - Sports

"I was screaming words, but I wasn't really able to say them.

The New Yorker

And when the opportunity presented itself, he was really able to knock them down that year".

The New York Times - Sports

"We weren't really able to wrap our heads around where the baby would go after that".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really able to" to emphasize a notable capability or capacity, especially when contrasting with a previous inability or doubt. For example, "After the training, she was really able to manage the project effectively."

Common error

Avoid using "really able to" excessively, as it can diminish the impact. Opt for stronger verbs or adjectives to convey ability more directly. Instead of "He was really able to fix the car", consider "He skillfully repaired the car".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really able to" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a verb, emphasizing the degree to which someone is capable of performing an action. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its usage in various contexts, highlighting its role in conveying strong ability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "really able to" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to emphasize capability. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent appearance across various sources, predominantly in News & Media. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives may suit academic or professional contexts. To enhance writing, avoid overuse and consider stronger verbs or adjectives for directness. In summary, "really able to" effectively conveys a strong sense of ability or capacity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely capable of

Replaces "really" with "genuinely", emphasizing the authenticity of the ability.

truly competent to

Substitutes "able" with "competent", highlighting skill and expertise.

actually capable of

Emphasizes the reality of the ability, replacing "really" with "actually".

completely equipped to

Highlights readiness and resources, indicating a thorough preparation.

fully empowered to

Implies having the authority and resources to perform a task.

decidedly in a position to

Suggests a clear and advantageous situation that enables action.

unquestionably prepared to

Emphasizes certainty and readiness, assuring capability.

certainly has the capacity for

Focuses on potential and inherent ability, rather than immediate readiness.

demonstrates a talent for

Highlights a natural aptitude or skill in a specific area.

shows considerable promise in

Indicates potential for future ability and success in a particular field.

FAQs

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

Use "really able to" to emphasize someone's capacity or capability to do something. For example: "After taking the course, I was "really able to" understand the complex concepts."

What are some alternatives to "really able to"?

You can use alternatives like "genuinely capable of", "truly competent to", or "actually capable of" to express similar ideas with varying degrees of emphasis.

Is "really able to" too informal for professional writing?

While "really able to" is acceptable in most contexts, more formal alternatives like "completely equipped to" or "fully empowered to" might be preferable in highly professional or academic settings.

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

"Really able to" adds emphasis to the capability, indicating a stronger or more significant ability than simply being "able to". It highlights the degree or extent of the ability.