are unable to recognize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are unable to recognize" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a lack of ability to identify or acknowledge something. Example: "Many people are unable to recognize the signs of stress until it becomes overwhelming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

The impaired individuals are unable to recognize the limitations in handling their financial, legal and personal care needs.

The New York Times

"If you are unable to recognize a picture or she is not loaded (picture appears black, empty picture), just press Enter.

The New York Times

"Obama's election is an example, where demographics change so fast we are unable to recognize the change until it is upon us," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Without an anchor in a political tradition, voters are unable to recognize that their views on education might be related to their views on Social Security and that both reflect a distinctive philosophical understanding of human purpose.

The New York Times

In 2008, a postdoctoral student at Harvard named Richard Russell began working with a team of perceptual psychologists on a study of prosopagnosia, or "face blindness," a condition in which patients are unable to recognize human faces.

The New Yorker

The American Psychological Association is joining the debate on the potentially harmful effects of advertising on children by recommending that the government restrict marketing to those younger than 7 or 8 because they are unable "to recognize advertising's persuasive intent".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The self-flagellating insist that Italy is unable to recognize and retain its native talent.

The Guardian - Books

But the young man was unable to recognize a kangaroo, a mushroom or a buttercup.

The New York Times - Science

Nwamgba knew that her son now inhabited a mental space that she was unable to recognize.

The New Yorker

Indeed, most of my students were unable to recognize basic alphabets or perform simple addition.

The New York Times

Things just are so, it says, and the surprise is that we were unable to recognize the obvious before.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are unable to recognize", ensure the reason for the inability is clear to provide context. For example, specify whether it's due to a cognitive impairment, technological limitation, or lack of training.

Common error

Avoid overstating the inability. Instead of saying "they are unable to recognize any faces", be more specific: "they are unable to recognize familiar faces due to prosopagnosia".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are unable to recognize" functions as a verb phrase expressing a lack of capability or capacity to identify or acknowledge something. Ludwig provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, confirming its wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are unable to recognize" is a versatile expression used to indicate a lack of capacity or ability to identify or acknowledge something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in science and news media. While alternatives like "cannot identify" or "fail to acknowledge" exist, "are unable to recognize" offers a nuanced way to express a limitation. When using this phrase, it's important to provide context for the inability and avoid overgeneralizations. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively and accurately convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot identify

Uses a stronger negative and a more direct verb.

are not able to distinguish

Focuses on the inability to differentiate.

fail to acknowledge

Emphasizes a lack of acceptance or awareness.

are incapable of perceiving

More formal and emphasizes a fundamental lack of ability.

are blind to

Figurative language emphasizing a lack of awareness.

are not in a position to appreciate

Highlights an inability to fully understand or value something.

lack the capacity to discern

Formal and emphasizes the absence of discernment.

are unqualified to judge

Specifies the lack of competence to assess.

are incompetent to assess

Stronger term for lacking competence.

do not have the acumen to detect

Highlights the lack of shrewdness for detecting.

FAQs

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

You can use "are unable to recognize" to describe a situation where someone or something lacks the capacity to identify or acknowledge something, such as "Due to the algorithm's limitations, the software is unable to recognize certain patterns".

What are some alternatives to "are unable to recognize"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot identify", "fail to acknowledge", or "are incapable of perceiving" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "are unable to recognize" or "cannot recognize"?

Both "are unable to recognize" and "cannot recognize" are grammatically correct. "Cannot recognize" is more direct and concise, while "are unable to recognize" can sound more formal.

What's the difference between "are unable to recognize" and "are unwilling to recognize"?

"Are unable to recognize" implies a lack of capacity or ability, whereas "are unwilling to recognize" implies a deliberate refusal to acknowledge something, despite having the ability.