was able to present

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was able to present" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone successfully managed to present something, often after overcoming obstacles or challenges. Example: "Despite the technical difficulties, she was able to present her findings to the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was able to present Gordon Brown's new finance proposals, which sparked much interest and discussion.

The Guardian

He was able to present his true charisma in his music.

The Guardian - Music

Still, as Bellow's son, he was able to present the brief for the defense.

The New York Times - Magazine

But nobody was able to present one that would work before October 1st".

The New York Times

The machine wasn't working but the reception desk was able to present me with a bill for the ambulance.

The Guardian - Travel

And Microsoft was able to present that view forcefully before the committee, thanks to its allies in the Senate.

The New York Times

No details are released, including whether Rezaian's attorney was able to present evidence or cross-examine government witnesses.

Independent

For years, Mr. Castro was able to present to friends and family an outward appearance of normalcy.

The New York Times

I have gone through this process twice — and won both times because of the evidence I was able to present.

The New York Times

Eventually, she was able to present her idea: a proposal for a hypothetical app she called Study Buddies, which would match up potential study partners remotely.

The New Yorker

Ambitious and resourceful, she was able to present an astonishing roster: Robert Rauschenberg, Yves Klein, Ad Reinhardt, Joan Mitchell, Franz Kline and Philip Guston.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs like 'demonstrated', 'showcased', or 'articulated' if the 'ability' aspect isn't central to your meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "was able to present" excessively, especially when an active voice construction would be more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of "The research team was able to present their findings", consider "The research team presented their findings".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was able to present" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the successful completion of an action, presenting. It describes someone's capability and accomplishment in conveying information, ideas, or evidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

21%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was able to present" is a versatile verbal phrase indicating the successful completion of a presentation, often highlighting the capacity to overcome obstacles. As Ludwig AI shows, its use is prevalent in News & Media and Academia, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While grammatically correct and very common, overuse should be avoided to prevent passivity. Stronger verbs might be more impactful in some instances. Related phrases like "managed to showcase" or "effectively conveyed" offer nuanced alternatives. This analysis provides practical writing guidance and answers common linguistic questions related to the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

managed to showcase

Emphasizes the effort and skill involved in successfully presenting something.

was successful in communicating

Emphasizes the successful transfer of information to an audience.

could effectively convey

Highlights the clarity and impact of the presentation.

proved capable of delivering

Emphasizes the successful completion of the act of presenting.

succeeded in demonstrating

Highlights the successful display of evidence or proof.

achieved the feat of presenting

Highlights the accomplishment in successfully presenting.

demonstrated the capacity to articulate

Focuses on the ability to clearly and effectively communicate.

had the opportunity to exhibit

Focuses on the availability of a chance to present.

found a way to put forward

Suggests resourcefulness in getting the presentation across.

was in a position to offer

Stresses the favorable circumstances that allowed for the presentation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was able to present" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "succeeded in demonstrating", "effectively conveyed", or "demonstrated the capacity to articulate", depending on the context.

When is it better to use "was able to present" instead of a simpler verb like "presented"?

Use "was able to present" when you want to emphasize that there was some difficulty or effort involved in successfully presenting something. It implies overcoming a challenge or obstacle.

What are some less formal alternatives to "was able to present"?

Less formal options include "managed to showcase", "found a way to put forward", or simply "could effectively convey" if the context allows.

How does "was able to present" differ in meaning from "was allowed to present"?

"Was able to present" implies capability or success in presenting, while "was allowed to present" suggests permission or authorization. The former focuses on ability, the latter on opportunity.