been unable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been unable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a lack of ability or capacity to do something over a period of time. Example: "I have been unable to complete the project due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I have been unable to find it.

The New Yorker

They have been unable to identify most.

The New York Times

Nestlé has been unable to stop him.

The Economist

We've been unable to deliver.

The Guardian - Sport

He has been unable to find work.

The Guardian

He'd been unable to retrieve any data.

The New York Times - Magazine

The doctors had been unable to save him.

The New York Times

He has been unable to find anything like it since.

The New York Times

Other cable anchors have been unable to make the transition.

The New York Times

So far, aid workers have been unable to reach them.

The New York Times

But at this point, I've been unable to determine that".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been unable to" when you want to express that someone or something has consistently lacked the ability or opportunity to do something over a period of time.

Common error

Avoid using "been unable to" when referring to a single, completed event in the past. Instead, use "was unable to" or "could not".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been unable to" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a lack of ability or capacity to perform an action. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, indicating a state of continued inability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been unable to" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate a lack of ability or opportunity over a period. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and provides numerous real-world examples from reputable sources, primarily in news and media. When writing, remember to use it for continuous states of inability, and consider alternatives like "failed to" for more direct statements. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively convey your intended meaning with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to

More direct and concise, implying a definite lack of success.

not been capable of

Emphasizes a lack of inherent ability or capacity.

proved incapable of

Highlights a demonstrated inability based on evidence or experience.

found it impossible to

Stresses the insurmountable difficulty encountered.

could not manage to

Suggests a lack of effort or a struggle to succeed.

did not succeed in

Focuses on the absence of a positive outcome.

was unsuccessful in

More formal, highlighting a failure to achieve a desired result.

has not been in a position to

Indicates that circumstances prevented the action.

was prevented from

Highlights an external force that hindered the action.

not had the opportunity to

Focuses on a lack of suitable circumstances or timing.

FAQs

How do I use "been unable to" in a sentence?

Use "been unable to" to describe a continuous state of lacking ability or opportunity. For example, "I have been unable to find my keys all morning."

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

Alternatives include "failed to", "not been capable of", or "did not succeed in", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "was unable to" or "been unable to"?

"Was unable to" refers to a specific past event, while "been unable to" describes a state that has persisted over time. For example, "I was unable to attend the meeting yesterday" vs. "I have been unable to sleep well this week".

What's the difference between "been unable to" and "couldn't"?

"Couldn't" is a contraction of "could not" and typically refers to a past inability. "Been unable to" suggests a continuing inability. For example, "I couldn't reach him yesterday" vs. "I have been unable to reach him all week".