has not been able

USAGE SUMMARY

"has not been able" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that someone or something was unable to do something. For example: "Jane has not been able to finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He has not been able to win".

The New Yorker

Ríos Montt has not been able to leave Guatemala since.

The New Yorker

Note that East has not been able to discard.

The New York Times

She has not been able to return home.

Independent

She has not been able to seek any help".

Independent

But he has not been able to hike that trail.

The New York Times - Health

He has not been able to work as he recuperates.

The New York Times - Health

Twitter has not been able to confirm this.

The Guardian - Tech

The league has not been able to crack that cycle.

The New York Times - Sports

It has not been able to explain the images.

The Guardian

She has not been able to stop protesting since.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has not been able" to clearly express the lack of capacity or opportunity to perform an action. Ensure the context provides a clear reason for the inability.

Common error

Avoid using "has not been able" when a past simple tense like "could not" or "was unable to" is more appropriate for a completed action in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has not been able" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a lack of ability or capacity. It is used to express that a subject has been unsuccessful or incapable of performing a specific action or task. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has not been able" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express an inability or lack of capacity. According to Ludwig AI, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. Its high frequency across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media and scientific domains, underscores its widespread applicability. When writing, be mindful of the nuances between this phrase and alternatives like "has been unable" or "could not" to ensure the chosen phrase best fits the intended meaning and context. Remember to check the tense for accuracy and avoid overwriting when simpler alternatives are possible. This careful approach enhances clarity and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been unable

Uses 'unable' instead of 'not been able', creating a more concise alternative.

was not able

Shifts the tense to the past, indicating a past inability.

could not

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the inability to do something.

has not managed to

Focuses on the failure to successfully accomplish something.

has failed to

Focuses on the lack of success in achieving something, shifting the emphasis slightly.

remains unable to

Implies a continuing state of inability.

has lacked the ability

Highlights the missing skill or power required.

has not had the capacity

Emphasizes a lack of inherent ability or resources.

has been incapable

Indicates a fundamental inability to perform an action.

has not been in a position

Suggests external circumstances prevented the action.

FAQs

How to use "has not been able" in a sentence?

"Has not been able" is used to indicate the lack of capacity or opportunity to perform an action. For example, "The company "has not been able" to meet its financial goals this year."

What can I say instead of "has not been able"?

You can use alternatives like "has been unable", "could not", or "has failed to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "has not been able" or "was not able"?

Both ""has not been able"" and "was not able" are grammatically correct, but they refer to different time frames. "Has not been able" indicates a continuing state, while "was not able" refers to a specific point in the past.

What's the difference between "has not been able" and "has been unable to"?

"Has not been able" and "has been unable to" are largely interchangeable. The latter is slightly more formal and concise but carries the same meaning.