became unable to

USAGE SUMMARY

"became unable to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that someone was no longer capable of doing something. For example: "The patient became unable to walk due to complications from the surgery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He became unable to urinate and he grew agitated.

The Washington Post

One such patient, a touch typist, became unable to type.

The New Yorker

Upon lesioning, rats became unable to regulate their motivation based on the average value.

Harvard University

He became unable to control his anger, which erupted at the slightest provocation.

The New Yorker

In his mid-90s, Mr. Day became unable to drive his car.

The New York Times

Bourguiba, long in declining health, became unable to mask his autocratic tendencies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She became unable to work; she went out less and less.

The New York Times

Demand fell as companies became unable to afford them, found substitutes, or lived off their stockpiles.

The New Yorker

He quickly became unable to work, and his distress upset everyone around him.

The New York Times - Health

His father developed multiple sclerosis, lost his job and became unable to care for him.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Bertovich had no history of dependency, yet became unable to function without the painkillers she was prescribed.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became unable to" to clearly indicate a change in someone's capacity or ability over time. It's best when describing a process or event that led to this change.

Common error

Avoid using "became unable to" interchangeably with phrases like "never able to" or "always unable to", as "became unable to" implies a change from a previous state of ability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became unable to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a change in ability or capacity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It's often followed by an infinitive verb, specifying the action that can no longer be performed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became unable to" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a shift from being capable to incapable of performing a certain action. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is widespread across various contexts, with a notable presence in news, scientific literature, and encyclopedic entries. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly supports the idea of a change in ability, as opposed to a constant state of inability. Consider alternatives like "could no longer" or "lost the capacity to" for subtle variations in meaning. This detailed analysis provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and using "became unable to" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could no longer

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the change in ability.

was rendered incapable of

Emphasizes the process or cause that led to the inability.

lost the capacity to

Focuses on the loss of a specific ability or function.

had no ability to

Focuses on the complete absence of the ability.

ceased to be able to

A more formal way of expressing the inability.

prove incapable of

Suggests an inherent lack of ability, as demonstrated by events.

found it impossible to

Highlights the subjective experience of impossibility.

turned out to be unable to

Highlights that the inability to perform was discovered later in time.

was not in a position to

Indicates that circumstances prevented the action.

deteriorated to the point of being unable to

Emphasizes a process of decline that culminated in the inability.

FAQs

How to use "became unable to" in a sentence?

Use "became unable to" to describe a situation where someone or something lost the ability to do something. For example, "The old man "became unable to walk" due to arthritis".

What can I say instead of "became unable to"?

You can use alternatives like "could no longer", "ceased to be able to", or "lost the capacity to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "became unable to" or "become unable to"?

"Became unable to" is used in the past tense, while "become unable to" is used in the present or future tense. For example, "He "became unable to work" after the accident" (past) versus "He may "become unable to work" if his condition worsens" (future).

What's the difference between "became unable to" and "was unable to"?

"Became unable to" implies a change in state – that the person or thing used to be able to do something but can no longer do it. "Was unable to" simply states that the person or thing was not able to do something at a specific point in time, without necessarily implying a change.