we were able to

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were able to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something was accomplished or was made possible. For example, "We were able to complete the project ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We were able to adapt".

The New York Times

We were able to do that.

The New York Times - Sports

We were able to save the gorilla.

Independent

We were able to do that today".

The New York Times

We were able to get him".

The New York Times - Sports

We were able to get Tyson.

The New York Times - Sports

"We were able to get consensus".

The New York Times

We were able to motivate her.

The New York Times - Sports

We were able to hang in there".

The New York Times

We were able to hold on.

The New York Times

And we were able to keep him".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were able to" to clearly indicate a past achievement or a realized possibility. Ensure the context provides clarity on what made the achievement possible.

Common error

Avoid using "we were able to" with weak verbs. Replace phrases like "we were able to see" with simply "we saw" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were able to" functions as a modal expression indicating past capability or achievement. It combines the pronoun 'we' with the past tense of 'be able to', signifying the realization of a possibility. As shown in Ludwig's examples, this phrase appears in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

24%

Sports

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

7%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were able to" is a versatile and common way to express a past ability or accomplishment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, the phrase serves to report successful outcomes or explain enabling circumstances. While alternatives like "we managed to" or "we succeeded in" exist, "we were able to" provides a clear and neutral way to communicate past capabilities, while it is wise not to overuse it with weak verbs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we managed to

Focuses on successfully achieving something, often implying effort or difficulty.

we succeeded in

Highlights the success or positive outcome of an endeavor.

we had the capacity to

Emphasizes the inherent ability or potential to do something.

we were in a position to

Indicates that circumstances allowed for a particular action.

it was possible for us to

Highlights possibility and opportunity instead of explicit action.

we were capable of

Highlights the inherent ability or potential to perform a task.

we were empowered to

Highlights that authority or power was delegated to accomplish something.

we had the opportunity to

Focuses on the availability of a chance or occasion.

we were permitted to

Highlights that permission was given for a task.

we were authorized to

Emphasizes official approval or sanction to perform an action.

FAQs

How can I use "we were able to" in a sentence?

"We were able to" indicates a past capability or successful action. For example, "We were able to complete the project on time despite the challenges."

What are some alternatives to saying "we were able to"?

You can use phrases like "we managed to", "we succeeded in", or "it was possible for us to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to use "we were able to" or "we could"?

"We were able to" often implies a specific achievement or overcoming an obstacle, while "we could" indicates a general ability or possibility. "We were able to" might be considered slightly more formal in some contexts.

When should I use "we were able to" instead of a simpler verb form?

Use "we were able to" when you want to emphasize the effort, opportunity, or specific circumstances that allowed you to achieve something. If the action was straightforward, a simpler verb form may suffice.