Unavailable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Unavailable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something or someone is not accessible or not present at a given time. Example: "The requested item is currently unavailable in our inventory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We cannot hide that in this moment we have some problems with players unavailable to play.

The Guardian - Sport

The number of instances of "bed-blocking" was the same as the last week, with 4,000 hospital beds unavailable for incoming patients because of delays in transfers of occupants to care elsewhere.

The Guardian

But, if he is picked up in the auction this year, and with a reserve price of £160,000 the chances are high, Morgan could be unavailable for the first five matches of this year's County Championship as well as the first home Test of the summer against New Zealand.

The Guardian - Sport

Early on Friday, the US embassy in Sanaa shifted from its months of silence on Sharif, who has been unavailable to his lawyers since 27 February.

The Guardian

The launch was held in a fashionable London arts space, the Emerald City apparently being unavailable Still, Clegg was at great pains to point out that this was exactly what we had wanted.

The Guardian

If such an officer is unavailable, he said, other officers on the scene should know to call and wait for backup.

The Guardian

Cerci was unavailable due to suspension, but the presence of Immobile gave Torino hope.

The Guardian - Sport

Tune in to Radio 4 from olive oil-soaked Umbria and you are quite likely to hear cheery Alan Smith (a newsreader) say over and over again: "Due to rights restrictions this part of the programme is unavailable".

The Guardian

More than 150 VSLAs have been established in Katine and, based directly on the success of this approach, are being expanded to a further 11 nations globally, providing a source of capital, security and income that would otherwise be unavailable.

The Guardian

Brennan was unavailable for further comment on Sunday afternoon.

The Guardian

Dull though this ambition was, it had something to do with the fact that the holders began the final with four players unavailable through suspension, including Claudio Caniggia, the one forward with the speed to unsettle the German defence.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Unavailable", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking or inaccessible to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The requested resource is currently unavailable" is clearer than simply stating "Unavailable".

Common error

Avoid using "Unavailable" repeatedly in formal reports or business communications. Vary your language with synonyms like "Not accessible" or "Out of service" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "Unavailable" typically functions as a descriptive element, specifying that a resource, person, or service is not currently accessible or obtainable. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in describing temporary or permanent states of inaccessibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "Unavailable" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term to describe something that is not currently accessible or obtainable. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its use spans various contexts, from news reporting to business communications. While it is generally neutral in tone, varying your vocabulary with synonyms like "not accessible" or "out of stock" can enhance your writing. Using "Unavailable" in a sentence helps to provide clarity about the lack of access to resources or services.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Not accessible

Focuses on the lack of accessibility, implying a barrier preventing access.

Inaccessible

Highlights the difficulty or impossibility of reaching or entering.

Out of stock

Specifically refers to a product that is not currently in inventory.

Not obtainable

Emphasizes the impossibility of getting or acquiring something.

Unreachable

Focuses on the inability to make contact or access someone or something.

Not present

Indicates the absence of someone or something in a particular place.

Not ready

Suggests something is not prepared or in a suitable condition.

Not to hand

Means not immediately accessible or within reach.

Unserviceable

Implies that something is not in working order or fit for use.

Not on deck

Means not present or ready for duty or use.

FAQs

How can I use "Unavailable" in a sentence?

You can use "Unavailable" to describe something that is not accessible or present at a given time. For example, "The requested item is currently unavailable" or "The speaker is unavailable for comment".

What can I say instead of "Unavailable"?

You can use alternatives like "not accessible", "out of stock", or "inaccessible" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "Unavailable" or "Not available"?

"Unavailable" and "Not available" are both correct and often interchangeable. "Unavailable" might imply a temporary state, while "Not available" can suggest a more permanent condition, but the difference is subtle.

What's the difference between "Unavailable" and "Unreachable"?

"Unavailable" generally means not accessible or obtainable, whereas "Unreachable" specifically implies the inability to make contact or access someone or something, particularly via communication methods.