to be able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be able to" is perfectly acceptable in written English.
This phrase can be used when expressing the ability to do something. For example, "I hope to be able to finish this project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I wanted to be able to sit".

The New York Times

People want to be able to hope.

The New Yorker

To be able to do that.

The New Yorker

"You have to be able to sustain.

The New York Times - Sports

We need to be able to study.

The Guardian

He has to be able to spin.

The New Yorker

"To be able to see Nobody!

The New Yorker

"They need to be able to make decisions, to be able to innovate, and to be able to communicate.

The New York Times

To be able to make my choices.

The New York Times - Sports

to be able to feel such confidence.

The Guardian - Books

It's nice to be able to reciprocate".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be able to" when you want to clearly express the possibility or capacity to perform an action, ensuring your sentence is direct and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "to be able to" when a simpler verb like "can" or "may" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound wordy.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to be able to" is to express ability, capacity, or possibility. It is used as an infinitive phrase to indicate the potential to perform an action, often highlighted by Ludwig through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be able to" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express ability, capacity, or possibility in English writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and used across various contexts, from news and media to academic and scientific writing. While highly common, it's crucial to avoid redundancy by using simpler alternatives like "can" or "may" when appropriate. However, "to be able to" remains essential for infinitive constructions and conveying nuanced meanings related to potential and opportunity. By understanding its function and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing to enhance clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be capable of

Focuses on the inherent ability or skill to perform a task.

to have the capacity to

Emphasizes having the inherent potential or resources.

to be in a position to

Highlights the circumstances or situation that allows for something.

to be equipped to

Stresses having the necessary tools or preparation.

to manage to

Implies successfully accomplishing something, often despite difficulty.

to have what it takes to

Emphasizes possessing the necessary qualities or skills for success.

to succeed in

Focuses on achieving a desired outcome or goal.

to be permitted to

Highlights that there is the allowance or authorization to do something.

to be entitled to

Focuses on having a right or legitimate claim.

to be authorized to

Indicates formal permission or approval.

FAQs

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

Use "to be able to" to express the capacity or possibility of doing something, as in, "I hope "to be able to attend" the meeting next week."

What are some alternatives to "to be able to"?

Depending on the context, consider using alternatives like "can", "may", "capable of", or "in a position to" for more concise phrasing.

Is it always better to use "can" instead of "to be able to"?

Not always. "To be able to" is useful when you need the infinitive form, which "can" doesn't have. For example, "I want "to be able to swim"" is correct, while "I want can swim" is not.

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

"Can" is a modal verb that expresses ability or possibility, while "to be able to" is an infinitive phrase that serves a similar function. "To be able to" provides more flexibility in sentence structure and tense, as in "I will "to be able to help" tomorrow".