they were able to

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

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" when you want to clearly state the ability or capacity of a group to perform an action in the past, emphasizing their success in doing so.

Common error

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

Linguistic Context

"They were able to" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the past capability and successful execution of an action by a group. Ludwig confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were able to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate a group's past capability and successful performance of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. It is most commonly found in news and media, academic writing, and scientific reports. While alternatives like "they managed to" and "they succeeded in" exist, "they were able to" is a clear and direct way to communicate the successful achievement of a task. Remember to maintain tense consistency and use the past tense form when referring to past events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they managed to

Emphasizes the successful effort made to achieve something.

they succeeded in

Highlights the accomplishment of a goal or objective.

they were capable of

Focuses on the inherent ability or potential to do something.

they had the capacity to

Stresses the availability of resources or conditions that allowed something to happen.

they were in a position to

Indicates that circumstances allowed a certain action.

it was within their power to

Highlights the authority or control required to perform an action.

they found a way to

Shows ingenuity or resourcefulness in achieving a goal.

they were permitted to

Indicates authorization or consent to perform an action.

they had the opportunity to

Underlines the presence of a favorable moment for an action.

they were authorized to

Highlights the official approval or delegation of power.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they were able to" for variety?

You can substitute phrases like "they managed to", "they succeeded in", or "they were capable of" to add variety to your writing.

Is there a difference between "they were able to" and "they could"?

While similar, "they were able to" often implies a specific instance of successfully doing something, whereas "they could" suggests a general ability or possibility. For example, "They were able to finish the project on time" emphasizes the successful completion, while "They could finish the project on time" indicates it was within their capabilities.

When is it appropriate to use "they were able to" in formal writing?

"They were able to" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to clearly and directly state a group's capacity and successful execution of an action. It is a straightforward and unambiguous way to convey this information.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "they were able to"?

A common mistake is using the present tense form "they are able to" when referring to a past event. Ensure you use the past tense form "they were able to" to maintain correct tense consistency.