were capable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were capable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's ability or potential to do something in the past. Example: "The team members were capable of completing the project ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What you were capable of.

The Guardian - Books

Only my eyes were capable of movement.

The New Yorker

A third of their party were capable twirlers.

The Guardian - Sport

He made you feel like you were capable of anything".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Cream-endorsed albums were capable of selling 250,000 copies.

The Guardian - Books

We were capable of doing anything for them.

The New Yorker

We just showed what we were capable of.

The New York Times - Sports

United were capable of no more than gawping wonder.

The Guardian - Sport

"We felt we were capable of doing exactly the same.

The Guardian - Sport

We didn't do what we were capable of doing".

The New York Times - Sports

I knew they were capable of generating points".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past abilities, ensure that the context clearly defines what the subject "were capable" of achieving. Providing specific examples enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were capable" when referring to current or future abilities. Use "are capable" or "will be capable" instead to maintain correct tense consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were capable" functions as a past tense adjectival phrase. It describes the ability, capacity, or potential that someone or something possessed in the past. Ludwig examples show its common use in describing abilities and possibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

29%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were capable" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe past abilities and potential. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, ensure you maintain tense consistency and provide clear context to avoid ambiguity. Consider related phrases such as "had the ability to" or "were able to" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had the ability to

This alternative directly expresses the possession of a specific skill or capacity.

were able to

This is a straightforward and commonly used substitute, indicating the power or means to do something.

possessed the skill to

Emphasizes acquired expertise or proficiency.

were competent to

Highlights the satisfactory level of skill or knowledge to perform a task.

were equipped to

Suggests having the necessary resources, knowledge, or qualities.

were qualified to

Implies meeting the necessary standards or requirements for a specific role or task.

were equal to

Suggests being at the same level in terms of quality or ability

had what it takes to

An idiomatic expression that suggests the required qualities for success.

were up to

Suggests meeting the requirements of a certain capacity or size

were apt to

Suggests having a natural inclination or tendency to do something.

FAQs

How do I use "were capable" in a sentence?

Use "were capable" to describe someone's ability or potential to do something in the past. For example, "The students were capable of mastering the complex concepts."

What can I say instead of "were capable"?

You can use alternatives like "had the ability to", "were able to", or "possessed the skill to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "were capable" or "was capable"?

"Were capable" is used with plural subjects, while "was capable" is used with singular subjects. For example, "They were capable of solving the problem" versus "He was capable of solving the problem."

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

While both phrases indicate an ability to do something, "were capable" often suggests a potential or inherent ability, whereas "were able to" implies that the ability was actually used or demonstrated. "They "were capable" of great things" versus "They were able to complete the task successfully."