were able to

USAGE SUMMARY

"were able to" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone or something had the ability or opportunity to do something in the past. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as describing past accomplishments, describing past events or actions, or expressing past potential. Example: Despite his fear of heights, John were able to climb to the top of the mountain and take in the breathtaking view. In this sentence, "were able to" is used to describe John's past ability to climb the mountain, despite his fear of heights. It indicates that he had the opportunity and capability to do so.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We were able to adapt".

The New York Times

They were able to gain access later.

Independent

And were able to walk so quickly!

The New York Times

They were able to make do.

The New York Times

We were able to do that.

The New York Times - Sports

They were able to remove it intact.

The New York Times

Others were able to avoid being institutionalized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were able to extricate the car.

The New Yorker

We were able to save the gorilla.

Independent

We were able to do that today".

The New York Times

But his teammates were able to compensate.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were able to" to indicate a specific instance where someone successfully used their ability or resources. It emphasizes a concrete achievement.

Common error

Avoid using "were able to" when describing general skills or capabilities. Instead, use "could" or "was/were capable of" for general abilities, reserving "were able to" for specific situations where the ability was demonstrated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were able to" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating past ability or capacity. It is typically followed by a verb in its base form to describe a specific action that someone or something could perform. As shown in the Ludwig examples, this phrase conveys that the subject had the necessary resources, skills, or circumstances to accomplish something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

12%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were able to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase indicating past ability or capacity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its function in describing actions successfully executed due to capability or opportunity. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for diverse registers. When aiming for greater precision, consider alternatives like "managed to" or "succeeded in". Remember to reserve "were able to" for specific instances of demonstrated ability, rather than general capabilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

managed to

Emphasizes successful effort in achieving something.

succeeded in

Highlights the accomplishment of a goal after attempting it.

had the capacity to

Focuses on the inherent ability or potential to do something.

were capable of

Indicates a general competence or skill to perform an action.

were in a position to

Stresses the circumstances allowing for a certain action.

could

Expresses possibility or past ability in a more concise way.

had the opportunity to

Highlights the availability of a chance to do something.

were permitted to

Specifies that permission or authorization was granted.

were empowered to

Implies that authority or power was given to act.

had what it takes to

Implies possession of the necessary qualities or resources.

FAQs

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

Use "were able to" to indicate a past capacity to do something in a specific situation. For example, "Despite the storm, the rescuers "were able to reach" the stranded boat".

What can I say instead of "were able to"?

You can use alternatives like "managed to", "succeeded in", or "were capable of depending on the context".

Which is correct, "were able to" or "could"?

"Could" expresses a general ability or possibility, while "were able to" often suggests a specific instance of successfully using that ability. For example, "She could speak French" (general ability) vs. "She "was able to translate" the document" (specific event).

What's the difference between "were able to" and "managed to"?

"Managed to" and "were able to" are similar, but "managed to" often implies overcoming a challenge or difficulty. For example, "They "managed to finish" the project despite the tight deadline" suggests a struggle, while "They "were able to complete" the project" is a more neutral statement.