The spelling of the phrase "was able to" follows typical English orthography rules. The first word, "was," is spelled with a double-u and an s. The second word, "able," has a silent e at the end, which changes the pronunciation of the vowel in the middle from a "short a" to a "long a" sound. The final word, "to," is spelled with a consonant and an open-o vowel. In IPA phonetic transcription, "was able to" can be written as /wɒz ˈeɪbəl tuː/.
"Was able to" is a phrase used to indicate one's capability or proficiency to accomplish a task or achieve a goal in the past. It implies that the individual had the necessary skills, resources, or opportunities to successfully complete a specific action. This phrase is formed by combining the past tense of the verb "to be," which is "was," with the adjective "able," which refers to having the power, knowledge, or competence to do something. The term "to" is used to connect the phrase with the action or task that the person was capable of executing.
When someone states that they "was able to" do something, it typically suggests that they overcame certain challenges or exerted effort to accomplish a particular objective. It often implies a sense of achievement or success in overcoming obstacles, demonstrating one's competency, or fulfilling a desired outcome. For example, if someone says, "I was able to finish my project on time," it signifies that they managed to complete the assignment within the given deadline. This phrase expresses the individual's proficiency and determination, highlighting their capability and effectiveness in achieving a specific result.