The phrase "were able to" is often used in the past tense to describe an action that was completed successfully. In IPA phonetic transcription, this phrase is represented as /wər ˈeɪbəl tu/. The "w" sound at the beginning is followed by "ər", which represents the schwa sound in American English. The "eɪ" sound in the middle represents the long "a" sound, while the "b" and "l" are pronounced as usual. The final "tu" is pronounced as "too". Overall, the spelling of "were able to" accurately represents its pronunciation.
"Was able to" or "were able to" is a verb phrase that describes the capability or skill to successfully accomplish a task or achieve a particular outcome. It highlights the ability to perform an action or overcome a challenge.
The term "were able to" suggests that someone or something possessed the necessary qualities, resources, or circumstances to accomplish a task. It implies that, despite potential obstacles or limitations, the individual or subject managed to achieve their goal or complete an action successfully.
Using "were able to" implies a degree of challenge or difficulty in achieving the desired outcome. It conveys a sense of effort, skill, or determination required to overcome a specific obstacle or situation. This phrase is often used to denote accomplishment, success, or the demonstration of a particular skillset.
For example, in a sentence, "Despite the heavy rain, they were able to complete the construction project on time." This implies that, despite poor weather conditions, the construction team successfully finished the project within the specified timeframe.
Overall, "were able to" suggests the capacity or competence of an individual or thing to effectively carry out an action, indicating the successful completion of a task despite potential obstacles.