be unable to construct

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be unable to construct" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a lack of ability or capacity to create or build something, whether it be a physical object, a sentence, or an idea. Example: "Due to the lack of resources, we may be unable to construct the new facility this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Without these skills, councils will be unable to construct coherent plans.

The Guardian

One notable difference is that the algorithm may be unable to construct a chordal graph from the input network [ 17].

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

As such, these two (or eventually more) task conditions may be particularly important when studying emerging experts, such as biology majors, and identifying a point at which they may be unable to construct a hypothesized expert framework but may be able to recognize and apply an expert framework.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the absence of a general theory of stupidity, economists have been unable to construct a unified, compelling alternative to the rational optimization framework.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And so after a spirited win Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Yankees were unable to construct a momentum-building winning streak, even against the last-place Blue Jays.

The New York Times - Sports

There was a large influx of population beginning in the 1960s owing to the new employment opportunities, but the corporation was unable to construct housing and provide other services to meet the needs of this migration.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With the E.C.B. resisting any solution that involves a selective default, and the German government pressing for private investors to share the pain, policy makers have been unable to construct a second bailout for Greece.

The New York Times

In case of the learner was unable to construct the knowledge, social network would be used as a scaffolding.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

By ignoring critical data and/or using uninformative evidence, students are unable to construct scientifically accurate phylogenetic trees (Halverson 2009; Halverson et al. 2011; Van Fraassen 2008).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Analysis by flow cytometry indicated that some 6D9 fragmentsments were unable to construct an appropriate conformation, and that most of the 6D9 fragmentsments displayed on yeast-cell surface exhibited higher binding affinity, stability, and catalytic activity.

Journal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic

When considering these signals as first arrivals, we were unable to construct a Vp model to account for these travel times; thus, we interpreted the travel times as reflection signals and estimated the position of the reflector using the travel time mapping method of Fujie et al. (2006).

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be unable to construct", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific limitations or barriers prevent the construction. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "be unable to construct" without specifying why the construction is impossible. For instance, instead of saying "They were unable to construct," specify "They were unable to construct the bridge due to a lack of materials."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be unable to construct" functions as a modal phrase expressing an inability or lack of capacity to build or create something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and correct in written English. Examples show its use in diverse contexts from scientific models to physical structures.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be unable to construct" correctly and effectively conveys a lack of capacity or capability to build or create something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically sound and appears in various contexts, particularly within science, news, and encyclopedia sources. While examples are somewhat limited, the phrase is used in various contexts across formal and informal registers to express limitations or constraints preventing construction or creation. For alternatives, consider "lack the capacity to build" or "cannot create", depending on the nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack the capacity to build

Focuses on the absence of inherent ability to build.

cannot create

Emphasizes the impossibility of creating something.

are incapable of building

Highlights a fundamental inability to physically construct.

fail to assemble

Focuses on the unsuccessful attempt to put components together.

are not equipped to build

Stresses the lack of necessary resources or tools.

find it impossible to construct

Highlights the subjective difficulty in building.

prove unable to create

Suggests a demonstrated failure in creating something.

are without the means to build

Emphasizes the absence of necessary resources to construct.

cannot put together

Focuses on the inability to assemble components.

are deficient in the skills to build

Highlights a lack of necessary expertise.

FAQs

How can I use "be unable to construct" in a sentence?

Use "be unable to construct" when you want to express a lack of ability or capacity to create or build something. For example: "Due to budget cuts, the team will "be unable to construct" the new prototype."

What are some alternatives to "be unable to construct"?

Alternatives include phrases like "cannot build", "are incapable of building", or "lack the resources to create". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "cannot construct" or "be unable to construct"?

Both "cannot construct" and "be unable to construct" are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. "Cannot construct" is slightly more concise, while "be unable to construct" might sound more formal in some contexts.

What is the difference between "be unable to construct" and "fail to construct"?

"Be unable to construct" indicates a lack of capability or opportunity from the outset, while "fail to construct" implies an attempt was made but was unsuccessful. For example, "Due to lack of funding they "be unable to construct" the building" vs. "They tried many times but they "fail to construct" the mechanism".