would be able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would be able to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a hypothetical future scenario or possibility. Example: "If I had more time, I would be able to finish the project sooner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Financial institutions would be able to borrow.

The Economist

"They would be able to nibble away.

The New York Times

Everyone would be able to notice that.

Cornell University

I would be able to sleep.

The New York Times

Surgeons would be able to divide them.

The New York Times

He would be able to raise bail.

The Guardian

Then I would be able to answer your question.

Columbia University

Company members would be able to request to sponsor projects.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Programs would be able to access useful information otherwise hidden.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Perhaps then he would be able to patch the hole.

The New York Times

Cotulla would be able to get state money again.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would be able to" to express hypothetical future abilities or possibilities. Ensure the context clearly establishes the condition or situation that enables the ability.

Common error

Avoid using "would be able to" when simple future tense ("will be able to") is more appropriate for certain or highly probable future events. "Will be able to" indicates a higher degree of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be able to" functions as a modal verb construction indicating conditional or hypothetical future ability. Ludwig examples show it is frequently used to describe actions that are possible given certain circumstances or conditions. It's a more nuanced way of expressing potential compared to simple future tense.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would be able to" is a versatile phrase used to express conditional or hypothetical future abilities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, followed by academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the conditional or hypothetical context is clear. Alternatives such as "could manage to" or "might be capable of" can be used for slight variations in meaning. Remember to use "will be able to" for definite future abilities, avoiding overuse of "would be able to" in those scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could manage to

Indicates a potential successful outcome with effort, implying a degree of difficulty.

could potentially

Adds an element of uncertainty or contingency to the possibility.

might be capable of

Suggests a lower degree of certainty or possibility compared to "would be able to".

may be equipped to

Highlights the resources or tools available that enable the action.

might be empowered to

Emphasizes the authority or power granted to perform the action.

may have the ability to

Emphasizes the possession of the ability rather than the certainty of using it.

could be enabled to

Focuses on the act of enabling or permitting the action.

could be allowed to

Highlights permission or authorization to perform the action.

might be in a position to

Focuses on the circumstances allowing the action, rather than inherent capability.

may find it possible to

Suggests a discovery of possibility rather than a pre-existing capability.

FAQs

How can I use "would be able to" in a sentence?

Use "would be able to" to indicate a conditional or hypothetical future ability. For example, "If I study hard, I "would be able to" pass the exam".

What are some alternatives to "would be able to"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "could manage to", "might be capable of", or "may have the ability to".

Is there a difference between "will be able to" and "would be able to"?

"Will be able to" expresses a future ability that is likely or certain. "Would be able to" expresses a conditional or hypothetical ability. The choice depends on the certainty of the situation.

When is it incorrect to use "would be able to"?

It is generally incorrect to use "would be able to" when referring to a definite future ability without a conditional element. In such cases, "will be able to" is more appropriate.