when we are able

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when we are able" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a future time when someone will have the capacity or opportunity to do something. Example: "We will proceed with the project when we are able to secure the necessary funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

When we are able to make an announcement, our staff will be the first to know".

The Guardian

"The time will come when we are able to look back at what happened," he said.

The Guardian - Business

"Where we win is when we are able to convince the 101st airborne division not to shoot us".

The Guardian

[Members] will see the fruits of that when we are able to respond to the consultation, which we will do as soon as possible".

The Guardian

When we are able to encode our experience in words, it becomes much easier to put it together into a memory.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's only by doing more research that we can bring forward the day when we are able to beat all types of cancer".

The Guardian

But it is only when we are able to see their impact in the world that we begin to extract meaning from our experiences.

The Economist

As one of the project's directors, Szilard Lantos, admits, "Our work will be successful when we are able to move on".

Independent

"It's a great feeling of pleasure when we are able to earn as well as we do," said Munawar Human, a 30-year-old farmer.

The New York Times

"What will start to reduce uncertainty is when we are able to set out more clearly the kind of arrangement we envisage going forward with the European Union," Hammond told reporters.

The Guardian

The most frightening impact of vaccine denialism is the simple fact that when we are able to cross borders with ease and access information from around the globe, it's much easer to spread both deadly diseases and bad ideas.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when we are able" to clearly indicate a future action contingent on having the capacity or resources to do so. It's especially useful when providing updates or making commitments that depend on certain conditions being met.

Common error

Avoid constructions where it's unclear who "we" refers to. Be specific about the acting party to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of "The decision will be made when we are able," specify "The committee will make the decision when they are able to gather all the necessary data."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when we are able" functions as an adverbial clause of time, indicating a condition that must be met before the main clause's action can occur. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its versatility across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "when we are able" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial clause that expresses a future contingency. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. While it carries a neutral register, its formality can be adjusted with alternatives like "as soon as we can" for informal settings or "once we are in a position to" for more formal communication. With an impressive collection of real-world examples, Ludwig highlights its effectiveness in conveying actions dependent on certain conditions being met.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when we can

This alternative is a more concise and informal version of the original phrase.

at the point when we can

This alternative emphasizes a specific moment or stage when action becomes possible.

as soon as we are capable of

This alternative focuses on the capability or skill required to perform an action.

once we are in a position to

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes being suitably placed or equipped to act.

the moment we are equipped to

This alternative highlights the readiness and resources necessary for action.

once it becomes possible for us to

This emphasizes the future possibility and conditions required for action.

upon being able to

This is a more formal, almost bureaucratic way of phrasing the original statement.

when it is within our power to

This alternative highlights the authority or control needed to perform the action.

if and when we are in a place to

This adds a level of uncertainty, suggesting the possibility that the action might not be feasible.

should we be enabled to

This is a more conditional phrasing, implying external enablement or permission.

FAQs

How can I use "when we are able" in a sentence?

The phrase "when we are able" is used to express a condition that needs to be met before a particular action can take place. For example, "We will release the update "when we are able" to ensure its stability."

What are some alternatives to "when we are able"?

Alternatives to "when we are able" include phrases like "as soon as we can", "once we are able", or "when we can", depending on the context and the level of formality required.

Is there a difference between "when we are able" and "if we are able"?

"When we are able" implies a higher likelihood or expectation of being able to do something at some point in the future. "If we are able", on the other hand, suggests a greater degree of uncertainty about the possibility of being able to do it. Consider, "We will announce the results "when we are able" to verify the data" versus "We will proceed with the experiment "if we are able" to secure funding."

How formal is the phrase "when we are able"?

The phrase "when we are able" is generally neutral in tone and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal situations, you might consider alternatives like "once we are in a position to" or "as soon as circumstances permit".