He is an able man. vs He is an able person.

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'He is an able man' is more commonly used when referring to a male individual specifically, while 'He is an able person' is more inclusive and can refer to any gender. The choice between 'man' and 'person' depends on the level of specificity needed in the sentence.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 2186 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a male individual with the specific gender in mind.

"He is an able man."

This phrase is used to describe a man who is capable, skillful, or competent in a particular area.

Examples:

He is an able man who can handle any challenge.
As an able man, he successfully led the team to victory.

Show examples from the web [+]

He is young, but he is an able man.
Captain Collingwood is an able man and a good commander.
One demon for every able-bodied man.
When they're comfortable, she is healthier and better able to serve her man.
But you were then able to sense the man. Yes.
Enlist every able-bodied man you can.
- Summon every able-bodied man to Dunharrow.
John is an able and diligent student.
Mr President, Lord Plumb is an able advocate - nobody denies that.
She is an able scientist, and may eventually be able to effect a cure.
The king needs every able man he can get for this battle.
Such able man is seldom seen in Japan.
What is required now is one able man to build and to lead this new continental army.
I do not think that President Klaus will be able to hold out, I hope that he does; he is a fine and brave man.
Susan... he is a good man.
Well, he is a dying man.
- He is not my man.
He is attracted to medical and psychological fields because they offer power over man.
He is as susceptible to this virus as any man.
The magistrate believes he is a local man.

Alternatives:

He is a capable man.
He is a skilled man.
He is a competent man.
He is a proficient man.

This phrase is correct and more inclusive, as it can refer to individuals of any gender.

"He is an able person."

This phrase is used to describe a person, regardless of gender, who is capable, skillful, or competent in a particular area.

Examples:

He is an able person who excels in problem-solving.
As an able person, she managed the project effectively.

Show examples from the web [+]

Commissioner, you are a sober, honest and able person.
You make a perfectly able person a mutt.
I was hoping we'd be able to speak in person.
I wasn't able to reach that person.
He is young, but he is an able man.
As you can see, he's not the most able-bodied person there is.
The miller is not the only person able to package.
John is an able and diligent student.
Mr President, Lord Plumb is an able advocate - nobody denies that.
Captain Collingwood is an able man and a good commander.
She is an able scientist, and may eventually be able to effect a cure.
He is still the same person.
I would like to begin with a word of apology on behalf of my colleague David Byrne. Unfortunately, owing to the cancellation of the morning flight from Brussels to Strasbourg due to exceptionally adverse weather conditions, he is not able to be here in person.
Sadly, I have work to do, and it takes me twice as long as an able-bodied person to complete even the simplest task.
He is a real-life homeless person.
But he is a very nice person.
He is not a very good person.
It's because he is a different person.
He is literally a different person.
So he is a most excellent person.

Alternatives:

He is a capable person.
He is a skilled person.
He is a competent person.
He is a proficient person.

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He is an able man. vs He is an able person.

"He is an able man."

"He is an able person."

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