becomes unable to

USAGE SUMMARY

"becomes unable to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which a person is no longer capable of doing something. For example: "The older he gets, the more he becomes unable to remember the names of his friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

6 When a man jiggles his pecs around until a woman becomes unable to resist him.

The Guardian

The public advocate is also next in line to succeed the mayor in case he becomes unable to serve.

The New York Times

Then a large part of the family's history is lost, as the patient becomes unable to talk about the present and the past experience.

Annales Médico-psychologiques, revue psychiatrique

My first story in The Mind's Eye is about a woman, a very gifted musician, who actually becomes unable to recognize anything visually in the ordinary way.

Harvard Business Review

He manages to reach you, the 911 operator, on his cellphone and convey his location but then becomes unable to speak, though the phone line remains open.

The New York Times - Arts

The film walks us through the way that reactors can now be engineered to shut themselves down before the cooling system becomes unable to do its job.

The New Yorker

With each program's closure, the strain on the overall system increases as it quickly becomes unable to meet the tremendous need for supportive education and therapy.

The Guardian - Opinion

The exodus could begin as soon as Isis becomes unable to stop people leaving Mosul, and the US increases the number of its air strikes.

Independent

The virus incorporates the decoy instead of its own genetic material and becomes unable to replicate properly in the transgenic chicken's cells.

The Guardian

If, however, a student becomes unable to complete an examination because of a sudden and serious illness or other emergency during the examination, the student may request authorization from the residential college dean to take a makeup final examination.

Yale University

New Yorkers voted on Tuesday in favor of a charter amendment backed by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg that calls for holding a special election sooner if a mayor becomes unable to serve.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "becomes unable to", ensure the context clearly indicates the cause or reason for the loss of ability. For example: "Due to the injury, he "becomes unable to" walk".

Common error

Avoid using "becomes unable to" excessively in passive constructions. Opt for active voice where possible to make your writing more direct and engaging. Instead of "The task becomes unable to be completed by the team", try "The team cannot complete the task".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becomes unable to" functions as a transitional verb phrase indicating a change in capability or capacity. It depicts a shift from being able to do something to being incapable of doing it. Ludwig provides various examples that demonstrate its use in describing evolving states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "becomes unable to" is a versatile expression used to describe the process of losing capacity or ability. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. As demonstrated by the examples from Ludwig, this phrase is commonly found in news, scientific, and academic writing. It is important to consider the context and choose synonyms carefully to convey the precise nuance intended, while avoiding passive constructions for clarity. Keep in mind that the tool confirms that the phrase is well accepted in the english language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becomes incapable of

Focuses on the inherent capacity rather than the ability to perform a specific action.

loses the ability to

Emphasizes the loss of a pre-existing skill or capacity.

is rendered incapable of

Highlights an external cause leading to the inability.

is no longer able to

States a simple lack of current ability.

ceases to be able to

Implies a more formal or permanent cessation of ability.

finds oneself unable to

Adds a subjective element to the experience of being unable.

proves unable to

Emphasizes a demonstration of inability, often in a test or challenge.

is not equipped to

Suggests a lack of resources or preparation leading to inability.

is prevented from

Focuses on external factors hindering the ability to act.

is disabled from

Implies an impairment preventing action.

FAQs

How can I use "becomes unable to" in a sentence?

Use "becomes unable to" to describe a change in someone's or something's capacity. For instance, "After the accident, she "becomes unable to" work".

What are some alternatives to "becomes unable to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is no longer able to", "becomes incapable of", or "loses the ability to", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Which is more appropriate, "becomes unable to" or "is unable to"?

"Becomes unable to" suggests a change in state, while "is unable to" describes a current condition. Use "becomes unable to" when referring to a loss of ability; use "is unable to" when describing an existing inability.

What's the difference between "becomes unable to" and "unable to"?

"Becomes unable to" expresses a transition into a state of inability. "Unable to", without "becomes", simply states the current lack of ability. For instance, "He "became unable to" speak" versus "He is "unable to" speak".