when we are able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when we are able to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a future time when a person or group will have the capability 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

Formal & Business

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" to clearly indicate a future action that depends on achieving a specific capability or condition. This helps set expectations and manage timelines effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "when we are able to" in purely hypothetical situations where there is no concrete plan or possibility of achieving the stated ability. Instead, use 'if we were able to' or 'should we be able to' to reflect the speculative nature of the scenario.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when we are able to" functions as an adverbial clause of time, indicating the timing of a future action. Ludwig AI examples show it commonly introduces a condition that must be met before the main action can occur.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when we are able to" serves as a versatile adverbial clause of time, effectively setting expectations and indicating future plans contingent on specific capabilities. Ludwig AI data indicates that while grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, it finds particular prevalence in news, science and business communications. For alternative phrasing, "once we can" or "as soon as we are able to" offer suitable alternatives depending on the desired nuance. Avoid its misuse in purely hypothetical scenarios. Mastering the nuances of this phrase enhances clarity and precision in your written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once we can

This alternative uses 'once' to emphasize the condition being met before action.

when we have the capacity to

This alternative explicitly mentions 'capacity', highlighting the availability of resources or skills.

as soon as we are capable of

This alternative stresses the 'capability' aspect, focusing on the ability to perform the action.

at the point we can

This alternative focuses on a specific 'point' in time when the action becomes possible.

upon achieving the ability to

This alternative uses more formal language, emphasizing the 'achievement' of the necessary ability.

on the occasion that we can

This alternative uses the word 'occasion' to suggest a specific instance when action is possible.

if and when we're in a position to

This alternative uses 'if and when' adding uncertainty to the timing and position.

at such time as we can

This alternative adds formality with a longer phrasing and the word 'such'.

in the event that we can

This alternative presents it as hypothetical with 'in the event'.

should the opportunity arise for us to

This alternative is more conditional and emphasizes the role of an 'opportunity'.

FAQs

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

You can use "when we are able to" to describe a future action contingent on a current limitation or capability. For example, "We will release the update "when we are able to" resolve all the identified bugs."

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

Alternatives include phrases such as "once we can", "as soon as we are able to", or "when we have the capacity to", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "when we are able to" or "once we can"?

"When we are able to" is generally more formal than "once we can". The former is suitable for professional and academic contexts, while the latter is more appropriate for informal settings.

What is the difference between "when we are able to" and "if we are able to"?

"When we are able to" implies a higher degree of certainty that the condition will be met, making the action likely to occur. "If we are able to" suggests a more conditional and uncertain scenario. For instance, "When we are able to secure funding, we will start the project" expresses a greater likelihood than "If we are able to secure funding, we will start the project".