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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

should then be able to

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

'should then be able to' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing a process that requires several steps. For example: "If you follow the instructions carefully, you should then be able to assemble the furniture without any difficulty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

The banks should then be able to put aside less core capital to back such assets.

News & Media

The Economist

You should then be able to use your browsers built-in developer tools to figure out what went wrong.

Given the fund would be invested largely in infrastructure, it should then be able to raise more money through borrowing.

News & Media

The New York Times

If they were right that they'd identified and tagged neurons that regulated thirst, Allen and team should then be able to control how thirsty their mice felt.

You need to discuss your particular risk with the specialist, who should then be able to guide you on what you can do and what you should avoid.

The F.A.S.B. should then be able to focus more on getting the standards right and avoiding delays and compromises that ill serve investors.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Existing programs which trigger Growl should then be able trigger to Notifications, too, without the need to tweak the programs' source code.

News & Media

The Economist

And people who want to demonize other people shouldn't then be able to go home and close the door and do it themselves".

Tom, our VFX guy, arrived at around 3 30 PM with the VFX shots, meaning we should have then been able to start on the sound design.

News & Media

Vice

The vehicle will be stored at the Mail Services' office in Building WW15 where it will be charged overnight and then should be able to run all day on that charge.

The threading process then should be able to completely dissociate the already weakened Rpa-DNA complex.

Science

eLife
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should then be able to" to clearly indicate a sequential process where the first action directly enables a subsequent capability. For instance: "Once the software is installed, you "should then be able to" access all features."

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple conditional clauses; if the context already implies conditionality, using "should then be able to" might create redundancy. Simplify by stating the capability directly once the condition is established.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should then be able to" functions as a modal phrase indicating future possibility or expected capability contingent on a prior condition. It suggests that if a certain action is completed or a state is achieved, a particular ability or action will likely follow. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

24%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should then be able to" is a versatile modal phrase used to express an expected ability contingent on a preceding action or condition. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English. It is very common across various contexts, particularly in news and media, academia, and science, maintaining a neutral register suitable for formal and informal communication. Related phrases like "should subsequently be able to" and "should consequently be able to" offer subtle variations in emphasis. When using the phrase, ensure that the conditional sequence is clear to avoid ambiguity and maintain a concise writing style.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "should then be able to" for conciseness?

Consider using alternatives like "should subsequently be able to" or "should consequently be able to" if the "then" is redundant in your context.

Is "should then be able to" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "should then be able to" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when describing procedures or expected outcomes. Alternatives like "should subsequently be able to" may add a slightly more formal tone.

What's the difference between "should then be able to" and "can then"?

"Should then be able to" implies a conditional expectation or logical consequence, whereas "can then" simply indicates a possibility. For instance, "If you finish the course, you "should then be able to" apply for the job" suggests an expected outcome, but "you can then apply" only states it's possible.

When is it better to use "will then be able to" instead of "should then be able to"?

"Will then be able to" implies a higher degree of certainty compared to "should then be able to". Use "will" when the outcome is almost guaranteed given the preceding action. If the outcome is less certain, "should" is more appropriate.

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Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: