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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
that able to
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "that able to" is not correct in English.
The correct form would be "that is able to." You can use it when describing someone's or something's capability or ability to perform a specific action. Example: "She is the one that is able to solve complex problems quickly."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Alternative expressions(5)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
By definition, substrates of AcrB are compounds that are able (1) to bind to the access state and (2) to induce subsequent transitions.
Science
"It's 2 bad that Prince was not able 2 per4m on the show this season," the note read in part.
News & Media
We generated siRNA construct for Drp1 that was able to reduce Drp1 expression levels (Supplementary Figure S2a).
Science
To further confirm that Hes1 is able to repress miR-9, we overexpressed Hes1 and examined miR-9 levels.
Science
We can thus conclude that Dmknδ5 is able to modulate Rab5 activity by promoting its GTP loading.
Science
These results confirm that T9W is able to convert β39-thalassemic ErPCs (unable to produce HbA) to HbA-producing cells.
Science
We show that Rg1 is able to increase the rate of HIF-1α protein synthesis.
Science
Leukemic cells express different antigens that are able to activate CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.
Finally, we show that AmphiVent1 is able to directly repress promoters of AmphiGoosecoid and AmphiChordin genes.
Science
Finding that PRORP1 is able to functionally replace yeast nuclear RNase P was indeed most surprising.
Science
We observe that Rnd3 is able to induce stress fibres independent of membrane localisation.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always include a verb (such as "is", "are", "was", or "were") before "able to" to form a grammatically correct phrase. For example, use "that is able to" instead of "that able to".
Common error
Avoid omitting the necessary auxiliary verb before "able to". This omission leads to ungrammatical sentences. Remember to use "is able to", "are able to", "was able to", or "were able to" depending on the context.
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "that able to" is intended to function as a relative clause modifying a noun, but it fails to do so grammatically. As Ludwig AI clarifies, auxiliary verb "is" is missing.
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Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "that able to" is grammatically incorrect due to the omission of a necessary auxiliary verb. As Ludwig AI indicates, the proper form should include a verb such as "is", "are", "was", or "were" before "able to". Effective communication requires adherence to grammatical rules, and using correct alternatives like "that is able to", "that can", or "that is capable of" ensures clarity and precision. Given the lack of valid usage examples, it is crucial to avoid "that able to" in both formal and informal writing.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
that is able to
Adds the necessary verb "is" to form a complete and grammatically correct phrase.
that can
Uses the modal verb "can" to express ability or possibility more concisely.
that is capable of
Replaces "able" with "capable of" for a slightly more formal tone, maintaining the same meaning.
that has the ability to
Emphasizes the possession of an ability rather than just stating capability.
that is equipped to
Suggests that something is prepared or furnished with what is needed to perform a task.
that is in a position to
Implies that someone or something is in a situation that allows them to do something.
that is apt to
Indicates a natural tendency or likelihood.
that is prone to
Highlights a susceptibility or vulnerability to something.
that is likely to
Expresses a high probability of something happening.
that will
Uses the auxiliary verb "will" to indicate a future action that someone or something is expected to perform.
FAQs
What is the correct way to use the phrase to express ability?
The correct way is to use "that is able to", "that are able to", "that was able to", or "that were able to", depending on the subject and tense. The phrase "that able to" is grammatically incorrect.
What can I say instead of "that able to"?
Use alternatives like "that is able to", "that can", or "that is capable of" to express the same meaning with correct grammar.
Which is correct, "that able to" or "that is able to"?
"That is able to" is the correct phrase. "That able to" omits the necessary auxiliary verb and is grammatically incorrect.
How can I use "that is able to" in a sentence?
You can use "that is able to" to describe someone or something's capability. For example: "She is the one "that is able to" solve complex problems quickly."
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested