available to comment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "available to comment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is ready or willing to provide their thoughts or opinions on a particular topic or issue. Example: "The spokesperson is available to comment on the recent developments in the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Holmes was not available to comment.

The New York Times - Sports

None were available to comment.

The Guardian - Tech

Santander was not immediately available to comment.

The Guardian - Business

Mr. Kalisutan was not available to comment.

The New York Times

Company officials were not available to comment.

The New York Times

Mr. Icahn was not available to comment.

The New York Times

They were not available to comment Tuesday.

The New York Times - Sports

TAP officials were not available to comment.

The New York Times

She was not immediately available to comment.

The New York Times

Mr. Zhang was not available to comment.

The New York Times

The company had nobody available to comment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "available to comment", ensure the context clearly indicates who is available and what topic they are available to comment on for clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that someone "available to comment" will necessarily offer a favorable or detailed response. Their availability simply means they are accessible for comment, not that they will provide extensive information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "available to comment" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun (usually a person or organization) to indicate their accessibility and willingness to provide a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "available to comment" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that someone is accessible and prepared to provide a statement or opinion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in news and media contexts. While there are several alternatives, such as "ready to comment" or "willing to comment", the core meaning remains consistent. It's important to remember that availability doesn't guarantee a detailed response, just accessibility. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who is available and the topic they are available to comment on.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ready to comment

This alternative directly replaces "available" with "ready", maintaining the core meaning of being prepared to give a statement.

willing to comment

This alternative substitutes "available" with "willing", highlighting the consent and desire to provide a statement.

prepared to comment

This alternative uses "prepared", indicating readiness and anticipation of the opportunity to comment.

able to provide a statement

This option is a more formal way of saying "available to comment", emphasizing the provision of a formal statement.

could not be reached for comment

This alternative expresses the opposite, indicating that the person was not accessible to provide input.

had no comment

Expresses that the individual doesn't have anything to add or state about the subject.

declined to comment

This signifies that the person was reached but chose not to provide any statement.

not offering comment

This alternative emphasizes the act of withholding a statement.

remained silent

This option underscores the lack of any statement or response.

refused to provide input

This alternative uses "refused", indicating a deliberate decision not to give any comment.

FAQs

How is "available to comment" typically used in journalism?

In journalism, "available to comment" typically indicates that a person or organization was contacted and was accessible to provide a statement or opinion on a particular matter. It doesn't guarantee they will speak, but confirms they were reachable.

What does it imply when someone is "not available to comment"?

When someone is "not available to comment", it suggests they could not be reached or were unwilling to provide a statement at the time of inquiry. This could be due to various reasons, such as scheduling conflicts, legal constraints, or a decision not to speak publicly on the issue.

What are some alternatives to saying someone is "available to comment"?

Alternatives include "ready to comment", "willing to comment", or "prepared to comment". These phrases convey a similar meaning of accessibility and willingness to provide a statement.

Is it better to say "available to comment" or "available for comment"?

Both "available to comment" and "available for comment" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice often comes down to personal preference, although "available to comment" is slightly more common. There is no significant difference in meaning.