were able to win

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were able to win" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or a group successfully achieved victory in a competition or challenge. Example: "Despite the odds against them, the team were able to win the championship after a thrilling match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We were able to win the little battles.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm just happy we were able to win the game".

The New York Times

Fortunately, I caught a few breaks and we were able to win".

The New York Times - Sports

In Britain and Canada, publishers were able to win court rulings effectively enforcing the date.

The New York Times

Tonight, however, they were able to win for the second time in those 11 games.

The New York Times - Sports

This shows why they were able to win 32 games this year.

The New York Times - Sports

That play was a perfect example of how they were able to win.

The New York Times - Sports

"It highlights the strength of the squad that we were able to win at Birmingham.

The Guardian - Sport

We were able to win games and it was pretty satisfying," he said.

The New York Times

In the following elections they were able to win about 20 seats in Parliament.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Somehow we were able to win a lot of those games they didn't pitch".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were able to win", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific action or competition was won. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were able to win" when a simpler verb like "won" suffices. Redundancy can weaken your writing. For example, instead of "They were able to win the game", simply write "They won the game".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were able to win" functions as a verb phrase indicating the ability and successful completion of winning. It describes a past action where someone or a group had the capacity and opportunity to achieve victory. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across different English sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were able to win" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a past achievement or victory. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it can often be replaced with the simpler "won", using "were able to win" can emphasize the effort, ability, or circumstances that contributed to the victory. When writing, be mindful of potential redundancy and ensure the context clearly defines the specific achievement. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "were able to win" to convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

managed to win

Emphasizes the effort or skill required to achieve the victory.

succeeded in winning

Highlights the successful outcome of the winning effort.

achieved victory

Focuses on the attainment of victory as an accomplishment.

were victorious

A more concise way of stating the attainment of victory.

came out victorious

Suggests overcoming challenges to emerge as the winner.

secured a win

Emphasizes the act of obtaining or ensuring the victory.

prevailed in winning

Implies overcoming significant obstacles or opposition.

triumphed in winning

Highlights a great victory or achievement.

attained victory

Focuses on reaching victory as a goal or objective.

conquered to win

Suggests overcoming obstacles to achieve victory.

FAQs

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

You can use "were able to win" to describe a past achievement, for example, "Despite the challenges, they "were able to win" the competition".

What are some alternatives to "were able to win"?

Alternatives include "managed to win", "succeeded in winning", or simply "won". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it better to use "were able to win" instead of just "won"?

"Were able to win" can be used to emphasize the effort, ability, or circumstances that allowed the victory. "Won" is a more direct statement. For instance, "They "were able to win" despite the odds" highlights the difficulty faced.

Is "were able to win" formal or informal?

"Were able to win" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider using "achieved victory" for a more sophisticated tone.