been unable to stop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been unable to stop" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a continuous inability to cease an action or behavior. Example: "I have been unable to stop thinking about the project since it started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Nestlé has been unable to stop him.

The Economist

They have been unable to stop talented receivers.

The New York Times - Sports

I would have been unable to stop myself.

The New Yorker

Mr. Gibbs also conceded that the president had been unable to stop smoking.

The New York Times

Politicians have slowed the tide of foreign students flooding into its universities but they have been unable to stop it.

The Economist

The driver told police she had been unable to stop the car from speeding and crashing into a stone wall.

The New York Times

They knocked Glaus to the ground with fastballs in Games 5 and 6 but have been unable to stop him.

The New York Times - Sports

Redman's double was hit so hard that most first basemen would have been unable to stop it.

The New York Times - Sports

The violence offers a reminder that the government has been unable to stop threats and attacks against small religious sects, ethnic groups and social pariahs like gay men.

The New York Times

BP, working with an array of government agencies and private companies, has been unable to stop the flow of crude from the well.

The New York Times

In some of the Toyota episodes, drivers said they had been unable to stop their cars when they pressed the brake pedal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "been unable to stop", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or process could not be halted. For instance, "The company has been unable to stop the decline in sales" clearly states the problem.

Common error

Avoid using "been unable to stop" without specifying the subject or object. A sentence like "They have been unable to stop" lacks clarity. Instead, provide context such as "They have been unable to stop the spread of misinformation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been unable to stop" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of capacity or failure to prevent something from happening. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it appears in various contexts, typically expressing an ongoing inability to control or cease an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "been unable to stop" is a versatile and commonly used expression indicating a continuous failure or lack of capacity to prevent something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various contexts, primarily in News & Media. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, alternative phrases such as "failed to halt" or "couldn't prevent" may offer nuanced expressions. When using the phrase, clarity is key; ensure the subject and object are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Avoiding such errors contributes to more effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

couldn't prevent

Uses "couldn't" instead of "been unable" and "prevent" instead of "stop", conveying an inability to avert something.

failed to halt

Replaces "been unable" with "failed" and "stop" with "halt", indicating a completed failure to prevent something.

haven't managed to cease

Employs "haven't managed" as a substitute for "been unable" and "cease" instead of "stop", suggesting a lack of success in halting something.

incapable of ceasing

Replaces "been unable" with "incapable" and "stop" with "ceasing", highlighting a fundamental inability to stop something.

did not succeed in preventing

Emphasizes the lack of positive outcomes in preventing something.

hasn't had any success in stopping

Specifically focuses on the absence of positive results when trying to cease something.

lacked the ability to avert

Emphasizes a deficiency in skill or capacity to avoid something.

without the power to impede

More formal and emphasizes the lack of authority or strength to hinder something.

found it impossible to discontinue

Highlights the difficulty or impracticality of ceasing an action.

not in a position to suppress

Uses a more formal tone and suggests a lack of control or authority.

FAQs

How can I use "been unable to stop" in a sentence?

Use "been unable to stop" to express a failure to prevent or halt an action or event. For example, "The government has been unable to stop the rising inflation."

What are some alternatives to "been unable to stop"?

You can use alternatives like "failed to halt", "couldn't prevent", or "haven't managed to cease" depending on the context.

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

"Been unable to stop" is typically used in present perfect constructions to describe an ongoing inability, while "was unable to stop" refers to a specific instance in the past. For instance, "They have been unable to stop the leaks" versus "He was unable to stop the car in time".

Is "been unable to stop" formal or informal?

"Been unable to stop" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "failed to halt" or "lacked the ability to avert" for a more elevated tone.