was able to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was able to work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone had the capability or opportunity to perform a task or job in the past. Example: "Despite the challenges, she was able to work efficiently and meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But he was able to work round them.

The Economist

"He was able to work with moderate Democrats.

The New York Times

Nobody was able to work with her on the building.

The Guardian - Arts

The sunshine was "heaven," and he was able to work poolside at his hotel.

The New Yorker

I felt much better with the ball striking and was able to work it.

The New York Times - Sports

Once the task at hand was started, I was able to work without distractions.

The New York Times

My husband works from home, so he was able to work when he was there.

The New York Times

The key: I was able to work out of our home for 30 years.

The New York Times

"I was able to work on a few moves down there and get a feel back.

The New York Times

Leading off, the Marlins' Chris Coghlan was able to work a 3-1 count.

The New York Times - Sports

"At the racetrack, I was able to work in the same way but get immediate results".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was able to work" to clearly indicate past capability or opportunity. It emphasizes that the subject had the necessary means or circumstances to perform the work.

Common error

Avoid using "was able to work" excessively in contexts where a more active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The problem was able to be worked out by the team", prefer "The team worked out the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was able to work" functions as a finite verb phrase, indicating a past ability or capacity to perform work. Ludwig AI affirms this with numerous examples showing its correct usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

16%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was able to work" is a grammatically correct and common way to express past capability or opportunity to perform work. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous real-world examples from diverse sources. While versatile, consider context to avoid overusing passive voice, and to select the most appropriate synonym. Understanding the slight nuances between "was able to work" and alternatives such as "managed to work" or "could work" will refine your writing. With a neutral register, it is suitable for a wide range of professional and personal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

managed to work

Emphasizes successful effort in completing the work, highlighting overcoming potential difficulties.

could work

Indicates possibility or permission to work, focusing on the availability of the opportunity.

was permitted to work

Specifically denotes that permission was granted to perform the work.

had the opportunity to work

Highlights the existence of a chance or favorable circumstance to work.

was capable of working

Focuses on the inherent ability and skill to perform the required tasks.

was in a position to work

Suggests that circumstances allowed the work to be carried out.

was authorized to work

Implies formal approval or clearance to undertake the work.

succeeded in working

Emphasizes the successful completion of work, despite potential challenges.

was fit to work

Implies a state of health or readiness enabling work to be done.

was eligible to work

Highlights fulfillment of requirements or qualifications to be allowed to work.

FAQs

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

Use "was able to work" to describe a past situation where someone had the capacity or opportunity to perform a job or task. For instance: "Despite the challenges, she "was able to work" efficiently and meet the deadline".

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

You can use alternatives like "managed to work", "could work", or "had the opportunity to work" depending on the context. Each alternative highlights a slightly different aspect of the ability or opportunity to work.

Is there a difference between "was able to work" and "could work"?

"Was able to work" typically implies that the work was actually done, whereas "could work" suggests a potential or possibility, not necessarily an actual event. For example, "He "was able to work" from home" means he did, but "He could work from home" means he had the option.

Which is better, "was able to work" or "managed to work"?

Both are correct, but "managed to work" implies some level of difficulty or effort in completing the work. "Was able to work" simply states the ability or opportunity existed. If you want to emphasize overcoming challenges, use "managed to work"; otherwise, "was able to work" is more neutral.