well able to

USAGE SUMMARY

"well able to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone who is capable or competent of doing something. For example: "The experienced team of engineers is well able to take on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, he said, they are well able to grasp the idea of mental, physical, spiritual and emotional wellness.

The New York Times

Financially, they are well able to pay for this one.

The New York Times

Well, able to make people laugh, that is.

The Guardian

He was, however, well able to accept mockery.

The Guardian

Sometimes he was equally well able to keep them.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Castelli was well able to spot them.

The New York Times - Arts

He was well able to bend over and the rest of it.

The New Yorker

(Given the vast sums they make, they are well able to afford such a rise).

The New Yorker

But Disney looks well able to absorb the failure of the film.

The Guardian - Film

These actors have proven themselves well able to tackle a more thorough and challenging directorial approach.

The Guardian

On a personal level, Blair - well able to combine charm with menace - would make them fearful.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "well able to" when a simpler, more direct phrasing like "capable of" would suffice, especially in informal contexts. Overuse can make your writing sound stilted.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "well able to" in very casual conversations or informal writing, where it might sound overly formal. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "good at" or "can easily".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well able to" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a high degree of capability or competence. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it highlights the subject's capacity to perform a specific action effectively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

26%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "well able to" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express a strong degree of capability or competence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in written English. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to slightly formal register and should be used judiciously in very casual contexts. Its frequent appearance in news, scientific, and academic sources underscores its wide acceptance and reliability. Consider alternatives like "capable of" or "competent to" for subtle variations in emphasis, and always ensure the context clearly defines the action the subject is "well able to" to perform.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfectly capable of

Emphasizes a higher degree of skill or ease in performing the action.

highly competent to

Highlights a professional or expert level of ability.

sufficiently equipped to

Focuses on having the necessary resources or tools to accomplish something.

eminently qualified to

Suggests outstanding credentials or suitability for a particular task.

thoroughly adept at

Emphasizes skillfulness and expertise in a specific area.

fully prepared to

Highlights readiness and anticipation for a future action.

exceedingly proficient in

Implies exceptional skill and mastery.

amply qualified for

Similar to 'eminently qualified' but with a slightly different nuance.

more than competent at

Indicates a level of skill that surpasses basic competence.

quite skilled in

A more informal way of expressing competence.

FAQs

How can I use "well able to" in a sentence?

Use "well able to" to indicate someone's capacity or competence to perform a specific action. For example, "The team is "well able to" handle the project's demands".

What are some alternatives to "well able to"?

Alternatives include "capable of", "competent to", or "sufficiently equipped to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "well able to" formal or informal?

While not overly formal, "well able to" leans towards a more neutral to slightly formal tone. In very casual contexts, simpler alternatives like "good at" or "can" might be more appropriate.

How does "well able to" differ from "able to"?

"Well able to" emphasizes a higher degree of capability or preparedness compared to simply "able to". It suggests that someone is not just capable, but exceptionally or confidently so.