are unable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are unable" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to express the inability or difficulty of someone or something to do something. Example: The team is unable to play in today's game due to multiple injuries.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The children are unable to help financially.

The New York Times

Many refuse or are unable to leave.

The Economist

"They are unable to run," he mused.

The New York Times

"People are unable to speak publicly.

The New York Times

They are unable to find it.

The New Yorker

We are unable to agree.

Harvard University

Small particles are unable to cavitate.

Polymer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Beltran was unable to deliver.

The New York Times

She was unable to answer.

The Economist

He was unable to reply.

The New Yorker

He is unable to walk".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are unable", ensure clarity regarding the reason for the inability. Providing context strengthens the statement.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "are unable" can sometimes sound overly formal. In less formal writing, consider using "can't" or another more conversational alternative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are unable" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a subject. It indicates a lack of ability or capacity to perform a specific action. Ludwig confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

32%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are unable" is a versatile adjective phrase used to express a lack of ability or capacity. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse writing contexts. It is most frequently found in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia". When considering alternative phrases, options like "cannot" or "lack the ability to" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in formality or emphasis. When using the phrase, ensure clarity in explaining the reason for the inability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot

Direct synonym, expressing impossibility or lack of ability; shorter and more direct.

are not capable of

More formal and explicit about lacking the inherent capacity.

are incapable of

Emphasizes a fundamental inability; stronger than "are unable".

lack the ability to

Focuses on the missing skill or resource needed to perform an action.

are not in a position to

Highlights situational constraints preventing action.

find it impossible to

Emphasizes the difficulty or impossibility experienced by the subject.

are prevented from

Indicates an external force or rule is stopping the action.

are helpless to

Suggests a lack of power or resources to change a situation.

are powerless to

Similar to "are helpless to", emphasizing the lack of power.

fail to

Indicates a lack of success in performing an action; less about inherent ability.

FAQs

How can I use "are unable" in a sentence?

Use "are unable" to express the inability to perform an action. For example, "Due to the storm, we "are unable to travel"".

What can I say instead of "are unable"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot", "are not capable of", or "lack the ability to" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "are unable" or "is unable"?

"Are unable" is used with plural subjects, while "is unable" is used with singular subjects. For example, "They are unable to attend", but "He is unable to attend".

What's the difference between "are unable" and "will not"?

"Are unable" indicates a lack of capacity or possibility, while "will not" indicates a refusal or unwillingness. For example, "They are unable to help because they lack resources", versus "They will not help because they disagree with the cause".