were we able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were we able to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to inquire about the capability or possibility of achieving something in the past. Example: "I wanted to know if we were able to complete the project on time despite the challenges we faced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Only then were we able to be connected.

The New Yorker

How were we able to drink up the sea?

The New Yorker

"Were we able to fix it and react to it?

The New York Times - Sports

Only thorough the help of a family friend were we able to get him into an intensive outpatient program (IOP).

The Guardian - Opinion

"Only by reducing prices 30 to 40percentt were we able to sell any of it," he said.

The New York Times - Food

"That reinforced us in the view that were we able to restore parts of the building, we should.

Independent

In none of the three cases were we able to create a business unit that could stand on it's own.

The New York Times

"Only after we treated all three members of the family were we able to get rid of the infections," Dr. Manian said.

The New York Times - Health

"Not only were we able to secure significant salary increases, but we also addressed historic inequities in salaries and made structural changes that will strengthen the university".

The New York Times

As to whether or not I had any follow-up conversations that said, were we able to set up this event or not, I don't think I did.

The New York Times

Only because we had strong bipartisan support for these tough sanctions were we able to overrule their objections and put them in spite of the administration.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternative phrasing like "could we" for conciseness, especially in informal contexts. But consider that the word "could" can also indicate hypothetical, not a real possibility, so be careful about the nuance you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "were we able to" to express general truths or current abilities. For current abilities, use "are we able to" or "can we". For example, instead of "Were we able to see the stars at night?" (implying past ability), ask "Are we able to see the stars at night?" or "Can we see the stars at night?" (implying general possibility).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were we able to" functions as an interrogative expression used to inquire about past capability or possibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in asking whether a particular action was within someone's ability or circumstances allowed it. Examples in Ludwig show its use in diverse contexts, from fixing a race car to making a movie.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were we able to" is a grammatically sound and very common interrogative phrase used to inquire about past capabilities or possibilities. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for a variety of contexts, including news, science, and business. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates a past time frame. Consider alternatives like "could we" for conciseness in informal situations, while phrases such as "were we capable of" can add a more formal tone. Be mindful to avoid confusing past abilities with general truths. With its widespread usage and clear meaning, "were we able to" remains a reliable option for expressing inquiries about past capabilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could we

A more concise and direct alternative, implying the existence of permission or opportunity.

were we capable of

Focuses on inherent ability or skill rather than just possibility.

did we have the ability to

Emphasizes the possession of the necessary skills or resources.

was it possible for us to

Highlights the possibility of something happening, rather than the actors' capability.

were we in a position to

Focuses on the circumstances allowing the action.

did we manage to

Emphasizes the successful completion of an action, often despite difficulties.

were we successful in

Similar to 'did we manage to', focusing on the outcome of an attempt.

were we permitted to

Highlights that the action was allowed, not necessarily if we were capable.

did we have what it takes to

Focuses on having the necessary qualities and determination.

were we equipped to

Focuses on having the necessary tools or resources available.

FAQs

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

Use "were we able to" to ask if something was possible or if someone had the capacity to do something in the past. For example, "Were we able to finish the project on time?" inquires about the completion of a past task.

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

"Were we able to" implies that a specific attempt was made and you are asking about the outcome. "Could we" is more general and can refer to potential future possibilities or past hypothetical scenarios, without necessarily implying an attempt was made.

When is it appropriate to use "were we able to" instead of "did we manage to"?

"Were we able to" focuses on the capacity or possibility, while "did we manage to" focuses on the successful accomplishment of something, often despite difficulties. If you want to emphasize the successful effort, use "did we manage to." If you're asking about the mere possibility, use "were we able to."

What can I say instead of "were we able to" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you can use phrases like "were we capable of", "did we have the ability to", or "was it possible for us to". These alternatives add a layer of sophistication to your inquiry.