was able to exit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was able to exit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone successfully left a situation or location, often after some difficulty or effort. Example: "After several attempts to find a way out, she was able to exit the building safely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"He was able to exit gracefully.

The New York Times

They put together a convoy that was able to exit the town in less than thirty minutes.

The New Yorker

Then it was able to exit with its last club, and one trump trick was the limit for the defense: East had to lead away from his spade 10 at the finish.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Riccio characterized the knife as a "pen knife" Mr. Jennings "uses for fishing," and said that after the driver grabbed the knife, Mr. Jennings was able to exit the car and run roughly a mile back to his house.

The New York Times

"Thank God my sister was able to exit the Bataclan.

Huffington Post

American Airlines was able to exit bankruptcy after it agreed to merge with U.S. Airways.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Six cars had already entered the station, and passengers were able to exit onto the platform.

The New York Times

They were able to exit the mountains on schedule for Mike Roberts to catch his flight.

The New York Times

Maybe they will be able to exit from this policy with ease; maybe they will not.

The Economist

Mr. Valfells said that within a few years Iceland should be able to exit the I.M.F.

The New York Times

Lastly, a discussion is needed of how and when taxpayers may be able to exit the bailout business.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was able to exit", ensure the context clearly indicates from where or what the subject exited. Provide specific details to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "He was able to exit", specify "He was able to exit the burning building".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "was able to exit" can sometimes sound overly formal, especially in casual conversation. Consider more natural alternatives like "managed to leave" or "got out" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was able to exit" functions as a verb phrase indicating the successful completion of an action, specifically leaving a place or situation. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase emphasizes the ability and achievement of leaving.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was able to exit" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the successful act of leaving a place or situation, as confirmed by Ludwig. While generally neutral in tone, it can sometimes sound overly formal in casual contexts. Consider alternatives like "managed to leave" or "got out" for less formal settings. Usage patterns show the phrase is more common in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using this phrase, make sure to clarify the specific location or situation from which the subject exited to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

managed to leave

Focuses on the act of successfully leaving, emphasizing the effort involved.

succeeded in leaving

Highlights the successful accomplishment of the action of leaving.

escaped from

Emphasizes a departure from a dangerous or confining situation.

got out of

A more informal way to express leaving a situation or place.

contrived to get away

Suggests cleverness or planning in the act of escaping.

effected an escape

A formal and somewhat dramatic way of saying 'escaped'.

was released from

Implies a removal of restraint or confinement.

became free from

Focuses on the attainment of freedom after a period of constraint.

found a way out of

Highlights the process of discovering a solution to leave a difficult situation.

navigated an exit from

Implies careful planning or skillful maneuvering to leave a situation.

FAQs

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

Use "was able to exit" to describe a successful departure from a place or situation. For example, "The company "was able to exit" bankruptcy after restructuring its debt".

What can I say instead of "was able to exit"?

You can use alternatives like "managed to leave", "succeeded in leaving", or "escaped from" depending on the context.

Is "was able to exit" formal or informal?

"Was able to exit" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. In very casual contexts, phrases like "got out" might be more appropriate.

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

Both "was able to exit" and "could exit" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Was able to exit" implies a successful action, while "could exit" suggests a possibility or ability. Use "was able to exit" when the action actually happened.