being able to

Possessing the capability

Being able to expresses capacity or possibility—having the skill, permission, or opportunity to do something.

It often appears where simple "can" would work but with slightly more emphasis on the ability itself: Being able to speak two languages opens doors.

The phrase frequently follows verbs of wanting or importance: I just want to be able to sleep through the night.

Related

open doors · feasibility · may · hold · permission · open · will · adaptability · resources · push · unlock · likely · agility · rise to the occasion · make it happen · take the leap · capacity · plausible

Family

able, ability, abilities, enable, enabled, enabling, enables, disable, disabled

Familiarity
Top 10,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G