was enabled to

USAGE SUMMARY

"was enabled to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an action that was made possible by something else, or which was allowed because of something else. For example: "Through the support of his teachers and peers, he was enabled to achieve his academic aspirations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lady Charles, although scratched on some parts of the body, was enabled to walk home.

The Guardian

Through Lorenzo de' Medici he was enabled to spend three years in study at Rome.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1777 Desprez received the grand prix d'architecture for a château project and was enabled to stay in Italy from 1777 to 1784.

Britannica

Synchronous-precursor-selection (SPS) was enabled to include up to 3, 6, or 10 MS2 fragment ions in the FTMS3 scan.

Nature

Coleridge was enabled to explore the same range of themes less egotistically in "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," composed during the autumn and winter of 1797 98.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The wettability of the TiOx surface was enabled to convert between hydrophilic and hydrophobic reversibly by alternative UV and VIS irradiation.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain IBB10B05 presented herein for SSL fermentation was enabled to xylose utilization by metabolic pathway engineering and laboratory evolution.

Bioresource Technology

As a result, a washing function in this system was enabled to reduce carry-over and to remove impurities in a mobile phase by automatic operation.

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis

At operation, the systemic venous atrium was partitioned with a Dacron baffle, so that hepatic venous and coronary sinus blood was enabled to drain with the pulmonary venous blood into the single ventricle and aorta.

Stanford University

When, in the Depression years, he earned nine dollars a week as a grocery-store clerk, he was enabled "to work with Bristol board and Higgins India ink and Craftint doubletone".

The New Yorker

Synchronous precursor selection was enabled to include the top 10 MS2 fragment ions for MS3 analysis in the Orbitrap at a resolution of 60,000, AGC target of 5e5, and a max injection time of 250 ms.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was enabled to" when you want to emphasize the factor that made an action possible. For example, "The new software "was enabled to" process data much faster."

Common error

Avoid using "was enabled to" in simple sentences where a more direct verb like "could" or "allowed" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly formal or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was enabled to" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject received the capacity or opportunity to perform an action. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase highlights the facilitating factor that made the action possible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0.1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was enabled to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates the facilitation of an action due to a specific factor. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and applicable across various contexts, particularly in science, news, and academic writing. While alternatives like "was allowed to" or "could" may be suitable in certain situations, "was enabled to" effectively emphasizes the enabling condition. Writers should be mindful of overusing the phrase in simple sentences where more direct alternatives exist. The phrase maintains a professional and formal tone, making it appropriate for sophisticated writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was allowed to

This alternative emphasizes permission or authorization, rather than capability.

was permitted to

Similar to "was allowed to", highlighting formal consent or authorization.

was capable of

Focuses on inherent ability or potential, rather than external enablement.

was in a position to

Indicates the presence of favorable circumstances or resources.

could

A more concise and direct way of expressing ability or possibility.

managed to

Highlights successful effort or overcoming obstacles.

was facilitated to

Emphasizes the active assistance provided to make something possible.

was empowered to

Suggests the granting of authority or power.

was authorized to

Highlights the formal granting of permission or rights.

was given the opportunity to

Focuses on the provision of a chance or occasion.

FAQs

What does "was enabled to" mean?

The phrase "was enabled to" means that someone or something was given the means or opportunity to do something. It implies that an action became possible due to a specific factor or circumstance.

How can I use "was enabled to" in a sentence?

Use "was enabled to" to indicate that an action became possible because of a preceding event or condition. For instance, "The additional funding "was enabled to" the project's completion."

What are some alternatives to "was enabled to"?

You can use alternatives such as "was allowed to", "was permitted to", or "was able to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "was enabled to" and "was allowed to"?

"Was enabled to" suggests that something facilitated the action, whereas "was allowed to" indicates permission or authorization. The former emphasizes capability, while the latter emphasizes consent.