Was unavailable for comment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Was unavailable for comment" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in news articles or reports to indicate that a person could not be reached for their opinion or statement on a particular issue. Example: "The spokesperson for the company was unavailable for comment regarding the recent allegations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Blockbuster was unavailable for comment.

Independent

Disney's was unavailable for comment.

Independent

He was unavailable for comment.

Independent

PwC was unavailable for comment.

Independent

Hastings was unavailable for comment.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Dertouzos was unavailable for comment.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

AOL was unavailable for comment.

The Guardian

Johnson was unavailable for comment.

The Guardian

Nunn was unavailable for comment.

The New York Times - Sports

Horowitz was unavailable for comment.

The Guardian - Books

ITV was unavailable for comment.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on an entity's lack of response, use "Was unavailable for comment" to maintain journalistic neutrality. It avoids implying unwillingness or evasion.

Common error

Don't speculate on the reasons why someone "Was unavailable for comment". Stick to the factual statement that a comment could not be obtained.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Was unavailable for comment" functions as a statement indicating that a person or entity could not be reached or did not provide a statement. This is supported by Ludwig and the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Was unavailable for comment" is a commonly used phrase, as shown by Ludwig, to indicate that a person or entity could not be reached or chose not to provide a statement. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various professional and journalistic contexts. Related phrases include "Could not be reached for comment" and "Declined to comment". When using this phrase, it's important to avoid speculation and stick to the factual statement. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Could not be reached for comment

This alternative directly states the inability to contact the person for their opinion.

Was not available for a statement

Similar to the original phrase, but uses 'statement' instead of 'comment'.

Did not respond to requests for comment

Highlights that attempts to solicit a response were unsuccessful.

Offered no comment

A concise way of saying that the individual did not provide any remarks.

Declined to comment

Indicates a deliberate refusal to provide a statement.

Refused to give a statement

Similar to 'declined to comment' but emphasizes the act of refusal.

No response was received

Indicates that there was no reply to the request.

No statement was provided

Focuses on the absence of any official communication.

Remained silent on the matter

Suggests a conscious choice to not address the issue publicly.

Information not available at press time

Emphasizes that the lack of comment is due to timing constraints.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "Was unavailable for comment"?

It means that the person or entity could not be reached or did not provide a statement when asked. It's a common phrase used in journalism to indicate a lack of response.

What can I say instead of "Was unavailable for comment"?

You can use alternatives like "could not be reached for comment", "declined to comment", or "did not respond to requests for comment".

Is "Was unavailable for comment" a formal or informal phrase?

"Was unavailable for comment" is a neutral phrase suitable for journalistic and professional contexts. It's not overly formal or informal.

How should I use "Was unavailable for comment" in a sentence?

Use it to report the absence of a statement from a person or organization. For example, "The company's CEO "Was unavailable for comment" regarding the recent merger."