we were eventually able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were eventually able to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that after some time or effort, a certain action or outcome was achieved. Example: "After many attempts and some setbacks, we were eventually able to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

In both cases we were eventually able to get help, but when I made enquiries I discovered the council had tightened the criteria for the fund so that it prevented many genuine people in need from being able to access it.

The Guardian

We were eventually able to make out the woodcock, equally frozen under the bush.

Forbes

However, given that the power is ultimately sold back to consumers we were eventually able to realize a profit.

Chemistry Central Journal

After many years and thousands of wasted dollars, we were eventually able to dump ours and walk away.

Forbes

Then, we were eventually able to analyze 20 patients who had no pain immediately after surgery upon arrival at PACU (NRS between 0 and 2).

JA Clinical Reports

By constantly testing and reworking our marketing language, we were eventually able to come up with cues that were easily understandable in the space we were in.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Then, as we develop understanding, we are eventually able to grasp relevant truths, such as that 2 + 2 = 4, in a way that is not dependent on the vagaries of experience.

SEP

For if we are eventually able to detect lies with reasonable accuracy, we can ask you questions in the future about events that happened long before.

HuffPost

For a while she struggles to remember her address, before we're eventually able to take her home, White and Cook supporting her between them.

Vice

This is where purposeful pauses can help us: By establishing the habit to use the common occurrences of our day to remind us to bring our attention to the present, we are eventually able to weave mindfulness into more complex activities, such as speaking and listening.

HuffPost

After 1 year of monthly infliximab 400 mg infusions, we gradually reduced the dosage and were eventually able to wean the patient off infliximab over a period of 2.5 years.

British Journal of Ophthalmology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were eventually able to" to clearly indicate that an ability or achievement was gained after time and effort. This helps to set the appropriate context and expectations for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "eventually" too frequently in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "finally", "ultimately", or "in the end" to keep your writing engaging and prevent it from sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were eventually able to" functions as a declarative statement indicating the attainment of an ability or the successful completion of an action after some time or effort. Ludwig highlights its proper usage in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were eventually able to" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the achievement of a goal or ability after a period of time or effort. Ludwig confirms its correctness and applicability across various contexts, though the phrase appears more frequently in news and scientific sources. While its usage is generally neutral, writers should be mindful of overusing "eventually" and should consider alternatives like "finally" or "ultimately" to maintain engaging and diverse language. The phrase signifies that something was achievable, but only after challenges or delays were overcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we finally managed to

Replaces "eventually" with "finally", emphasizing the end result after some difficulty.

we ultimately succeeded in

Uses "ultimately succeeded" to highlight the final success achieved.

in the end, we could

Emphasizes the final outcome or result before an ability.

after some time, we were capable of

Specifies that the capability was developed over a period.

subsequently, we had the capacity to

Highlights the sequential nature of gaining the capacity.

we persevered and could then

Emphasizes the act of persevering and the ability that followed.

eventually, we had the skill to

Focuses specifically on the acquired skill.

over time, it became possible for us to

Highlights the gradual change that made it possible.

with effort, we accomplished the ability to

Emphasizes the effort expended to achieve the ability.

after a while, we were successful in

Highlights the success in achieving something after a period.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we were eventually able to" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "we ultimately succeeded in", "we subsequently had the capacity to", or "we persevered and could then". These alternatives /s/ultimately+succeeded+in, /s/subsequently+had+the+capacity+to, and /s/persevered+and+could+then emphasize the achievement and effort involved.

Is "we were eventually able to" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "we were eventually able to" is suitable for academic writing when you need to describe a process or outcome that took time and effort to achieve. However, ensure that the context and tone align with the specific requirements of your field.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "we were eventually able to"?

A common mistake is to overuse the phrase, making your writing sound repetitive. Another is to use it in contexts where the effort or time taken is not significant. Instead, use more direct alternatives like "we could" or "we managed to" when appropriate.

How does "we were eventually able to" differ from "we were able to"?

"We were eventually able to" implies that there was a process, delay, or difficulty overcome before achieving the ability, while "we were able to" simply states the capability without emphasizing the preceding effort. The /s/we+were+able+to does not have temporal component.