was able to overcome

USAGE SUMMARY

"was able to overcome" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence such as "Through hard work and determination, she was able to overcome her obstacles and reach her goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

General Interest

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he was able to overcome his fear.

The New York Times

"I hit some bad drives, but I was able to overcome them with some good putts".

The New York Times - Sports

He said Mr. McCain was able to overcome it with intensive retail politicking.

The New York Times

But the group said it was able to overcome those limitations.

The New York Times

Teixeira was able to overcome his malady, but several other Yankees were not.

The New York Times - Sports

He was able to overcome the major obstacle of continuing racial prejudice in the United States.

The New York Times

"I was able to overcome that and get their support," he says.

Independent

Nelson Mandela – someone who was able to overcome his anger at the injustice he had experienced.

Independent

Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, he was able to overcome his trepidation by sheer force of will.

The New Yorker

Walker was able to overcome this larger turnout by expanding his margin among non-unions households from 13pt to 22pt.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I WAS able to overcome the first obstacle" was Junichiro Koizumi's sober take on his election victory on July 29th.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about achievements, use "was able to overcome" to emphasize the effort and ability required to surpass a specific challenge. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as Ludwig's examples illustrate.

Common error

Avoid overusing "was able to overcome" in passive constructions. While grammatically correct, too much passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Opt for active voice where appropriate to add impact, for example, "She overcame the challenge."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was able to overcome" functions as a verbal phrase expressing the successful surmounting of an obstacle or challenge. It indicates the capacity or ability to deal with and conquer a difficulty. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was able to overcome" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express successful surmounting of difficulties. Ludwig's analysis and numerous real-world examples confirm its appropriateness across various contexts. The phrase’s neutral register makes it suitable for formal and informal writing alike. Remember to actively employ it in your writing to highlight effort and achievement. According to Ludwig, it's important to consider replacing the phrase with synonyms such as "managed to surmount" or "succeeded in conquering" to enrich your writing, and avoid overuse of passive voice. This phrase is very common in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

managed to surmount

Emphasizes the effort and skill required to overcome a significant obstacle. It's more formal.

succeeded in conquering

Implies a complete victory over something that was initially formidable. Suggests a sense of dominance.

triumphed over

Highlights a celebratory and decisive victory, often after a struggle.

coped with and surpassed

Focuses on the process of dealing with something and then exceeding expectations. It's more descriptive.

navigated through and resolved

Suggests careful and skillful handling of a complex situation, leading to a solution. Highlights the problem-solving aspect.

rose above

Implies overcoming something morally or spiritually challenging. More metaphorical.

weathered and improved

Focuses on enduring a difficult period and emerging in a better state. Emphasizes resilience.

prevailed against

Highlights the act of successfully resisting a powerful force or opponent. Suggests a struggle.

turned the tide on

Implies a reversal of fortune or a significant change in momentum.

got through and excelled

Focuses on the act of passing a test and demonstrating superiority

FAQs

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

Use "was able to overcome" to describe a situation where someone successfully dealt with a challenge or obstacle, for example: "Despite the setbacks, she was able to overcome all difficulties".

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

You can use alternatives such as "managed to surmount", "succeeded in conquering", or "triumphed over" depending on the specific context.

Is "was able to overcome" formal or informal?

"Was able to overcome" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone than on the phrase itself.

Is there a difference between "was able to overcome" and "overcame"?

"Overcame" is more concise and direct. "Was able to overcome" emphasizes the ability and effort involved in dealing with the challenge, adding a layer of description that "overcame" might lack.