to enable

USAGE SUMMARY

"to enable" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe how something can be possible or made easy to do. For example: "Advanced technology has been developed to enable faster communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Need to enable reform.

The New York Times

sedan to enable battery switching.

The New York Times

He seeks to enable.

The Guardian

We want to enable.

The New York Times

"I don't want to enable them".

The New York Times

"We want to enable the Iraqi management.

The New York Times

"What they've done is to enable editors.

The Guardian - Books

The turbojets would reignite to enable landing.

The Guardian - Business

Global rules are needed to enable this to happen".

The Guardian

But is it enough merely to enable employees to diversify?

The New York Times

Its very first clause promises, uncompromisingly, to enable wellbeing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to enable", ensure the sentence clearly states what is being enabled and what the outcome or benefit of enabling it will be.

Common error

Avoid using "to enable" without a clear understanding of the specific functionality or action being enabled. Ensure it aligns with the overall goal of the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to enable" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples illustrating how it sets the stage for something else to occur.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

28%

Wiki

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to enable" serves as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intent, commonly found in diverse contexts like news reports, scientific publications, and how-to guides. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its function is to explicitly state the reason behind an action, clearly communicating that something is being done so that something else can occur. While versatile, its usage is most prevalent in contexts such as "News & Media", "Science", and "Wiki". For writers seeking alternatives, phrases like "in order to facilitate" or "so as to permit" offer nuanced alternatives while maintaining the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to grant the ability to

Directly conveys bestowing capacity or skill.

for the purpose of allowing

Clearly states the intended outcome of granting permission.

in order to facilitate

Emphasizes the intention or goal of making something easier.

to make it feasible

Highlights the aspect of possibility and practicality.

so as to permit

Highlights the allowance or authorization aspect.

to create opportunities for

Focuses on generating possibilities.

with the aim of empowering

Focuses on giving power or control to someone or something.

with a view to promoting

Emphasizes advancement or encouragement.

as a means to catalyze

Suggests accelerating or initiating a process.

to pave the way for

Implies preparing a situation for future development.

FAQs

How do I use "to enable" in a sentence?

Use "to enable" to indicate the purpose of an action, showing that something is being done to make another action possible. For example, "The software update is designed to enable faster processing speeds."

What are some alternatives to "to enable"?

You can use alternatives such as "in order to facilitate", "so as to permit", or "for the purpose of allowing", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "to enable" and "to allow"?

"To enable" implies providing the means or opportunity for something to happen, while "to allow" simply means to permit or not prevent it. "To enable" is often used when some action is required to make something possible, whereas "to allow" suggests a lack of opposition.

Can "to enable" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "to enable" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to express the purpose of an action or feature. However, consider context-specific alternatives like "with the aim of empowering" for nuanced expression.