they were able

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were able" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone had the capability or opportunity to do something in the past. Example: "Despite the challenges, they were able to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were able to gain access later.

Independent

They were able to make do.

The New York Times

They were able to remove it intact.

The New York Times

They were able to extricate the car.

The New Yorker

They were able to become citizens.

The New York Times

Maybe they were able to do that.

Independent

They were able to recruit better players.

The New York Times - Sports

They were able to adjust.

The New York Times - Sports

They were able to breastfeed.

The Guardian

They were able to rise above that.

The Guardian

And they were able to drive away.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were able" to clearly indicate that someone had the capacity or opportunity to perform a specific action in the past. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "they are able" when referring to a past event; use "they were able" to maintain correct tense and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were able" functions as a verbal phrase indicating past capability or opportunity. It expresses that a group had the means or circumstances to perform a certain action, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were able" is a grammatically correct and very common way to express past capability or opportunity. Ludwig AI indicates its wide usage across different contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and academic writing. When choosing related phrases, consider the subtle differences in emphasis, such as focusing on effort ("they managed to") or success ("they succeeded in"). Remember to maintain consistent tense when using the phrase. Overall, "they were able" is a versatile and effective way to communicate that a group had the means to achieve something in the past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they managed to

Uses "managed" to express successful effort or accomplishment, implying some level of difficulty or challenge.

they succeeded in

Highlights the successful outcome of an endeavor, focusing on the achievement of a specific goal.

they were successful at

Emphasizes the successful performance of a particular task or activity.

they had the capacity to

Focuses on the inherent ability or potential to do something, rather than the actual act itself.

they were in a position to

Indicates that circumstances or conditions allowed them to do something.

they were capable of

Highlights their inherent ability or skill in performing a task.

they were empowered to

Emphasizes that they had the authority or permission to do something.

they were permitted to

Focuses specifically on the granting of permission or authorization.

they were enabled to

Indicates that something or someone made it possible for them to do something.

they found a way to

Implies resourcefulness and problem-solving in achieving a particular outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "they were able" in a sentence?

Use "they were able" to indicate past capability or opportunity. For example, "Despite the challenges, "they were able" to complete the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "they were able"?

You can use alternatives like "they managed to", "they succeeded in", or "they were successful at" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they are able" when referring to a past event?

No, it is not correct. Use ""they were able"" for past events. "They are able" refers to current capability.

What is the difference between "they were able" and "they could"?

"They were able" suggests they had the opportunity or resources and succeeded, while "they could" indicates potential ability without necessarily implying actual completion.