was able

USAGE SUMMARY

"was able" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the ability or capacity of someone or something to do something. For example: "The computer was able to process the data quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was able to travel.

The New York Times

Randazzo was able to continue.

The New York Times

"He was able to play.

The New York Times - Sports

And I was able to do that.

The New York Times

"I was able to feed my children".

The New York Times

— was able to do so in reading.

The New York Times

And I was able to do it.

The New York Times - Sports

McConnell was able to exploit her alienation.

The New Yorker

I was able to deal with them.

The New York Times

"Everybody was able to get a house".

The New York Times - Magazine

He was able to sit down.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose "was able" when a more formal or explicit declaration of ability is needed compared to the simpler "could".

Common error

Avoid using "was able" interchangeably with "could" in all contexts. "Could" expresses general past ability, while "was able" typically indicates a specific instance of successfully using that ability. For example, say "I could swim as a child" (general ability), but "I was able to swim to shore after the boat capsized" (specific successful action).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was able" functions as a verb phrase indicating past ability or capacity. It typically precedes an infinitive verb, specifying what action the subject had the capability to perform. Ludwig shows numerous examples of this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was able" is a verb phrase used to describe a past instance of successfully performing an action due to capability, opportunity, or permission. As Ludwig shows, it is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, remember to use "was able" to describe a specific instance of a successful action, rather than as a general statement of ability (which is better suited for the word "could"). Overall, Ludwig AI confirms its versatility across different contexts and recommends it for clear and direct communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

managed to

Emphasizes successful effort or overcoming difficulty.

succeeded in

Highlights a successful outcome, often after a period of effort.

had the capacity to

Focuses on inherent capability or potential.

was capable of

Stresses the inherent ability or skill to perform something.

was in a position to

Indicates having the necessary circumstances or conditions to do something.

had the opportunity to

Highlights the availability of a chance or occasion.

was permitted to

Focuses on having received authorization or consent.

was allowed to

Similar to 'was permitted to', but may imply less formal authorization.

could

Expresses general past ability or possibility.

achieved

Focuses solely on the accomplishment of something, not necessarily the ability beforehand.

FAQs

How can I use "was able" in a sentence?

Use "was able" to indicate a specific instance where someone successfully performed an action. For example, "She was able to complete the project despite the tight deadline" shows she succeeded in finishing the project.

What's the difference between "was able to" and "could"?

"Could" expresses a general ability or possibility, while "was able to" indicates a specific successful action or accomplishment. For instance, "I could play the piano" means I had the ability, whereas "I was able to play the song" means I successfully performed it.

What are some alternatives to "was able to"?

You can use alternatives like "managed to", "succeeded in", or "had the opportunity to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "was able to"?

While generally correct, using "was able to" instead of "could" to describe a general, ongoing past ability is less common and can sound awkward. It's best reserved for instances of specific successful actions. So use "I could speak French" to refer to a general ability. However, you can use "I was able to speak French at the meeting" to refer to a specific action.