was able to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was able to do" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone had the capability or opportunity to accomplish a task in the past. Example: "Despite the challenges, she was able to do her best work on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Writing

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And I was able to do that.

The New York Times

And I was able to do it.

The New York Times - Sports

He was able to do that today".

The New York Times - Sports

"I was able to do that tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was able to do it today.

The New York Times - Sports

"He was able to do anything".

The New York Times

But she was able to do that.

The Guardian

"Fortunately, I was able to do that".

The New York Times - Sports

"I was able to do everything".

The New York Times - Sports

I was able to do that.

The New York Times - Sports

He was able to do all that".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs or alternative phrases if the sentence lacks impact. For instance, replace "was able to do" with "achieved" or "accomplished" for a more concise and powerful statement.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "was able to do" when a more direct, active verb would be stronger and more engaging. For example, instead of "He was able to complete the project", write "He completed the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was able to do" functions as a verb phrase indicating past ability and successful execution of an action. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts. This indicates a completed action, meaning the subject not only had the ability, but acted accordingly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

20%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was able to do" is a versatile phrase used to denote past capability and successful execution of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. While "was able to do" is effective, consider stronger alternatives like "managed" or "accomplished" for more impactful writing. Avoid overusing it in passive voice to maintain a direct and engaging style. Overall, "was able to do" is a reliable phrase for expressing past abilities and achievements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

managed to do

Emphasizes successful effort or skill in accomplishing something.

succeeded in doing

Highlights the achievement of a desired outcome.

could do

Indicates past ability or possibility.

had the capacity to do

Focuses on the inherent ability or potential to perform an action.

was capable of doing

Similar to 'had the capacity', but often implies a demonstration of that ability.

accomplished

A more concise way of stating that something was successfully completed.

achieved

Focuses on reaching a specific goal or result.

was in a position to do

Highlights the circumstances that allowed the action to occur.

contrived to do

Implies managing to do something despite difficulties.

found it possible to do

Highlights the discovery or realization that something could be done.

FAQs

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

"Was able to do" indicates the ability to perform an action in the past. For example: "Despite the challenges, she "was able to do" her best work."

What are some alternatives to "was able to do"?

You can use alternatives like "managed to do", "succeeded in doing", or "could do" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was able to do" or "could do"?

Both are correct, but "was able to do" often implies that the action was successfully completed, whereas "could do" simply suggests the ability to do it.

What is the difference between "was able to do" and "managed to do"?

"Managed to do" emphasizes the effort or skill involved in successfully completing a task, while ""was able to do"" simply indicates the capability or opportunity to do it.