he is not able

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is not able" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate someone's inability to perform a specific action or task. Example: "He is not able to attend the meeting due to a prior commitment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is not able to broadcast his ideas.

The Guardian

"He is not able to move the right side of his body, he is not able to walk, he was 45 days in coma".

The New York Times

He said he is not able to hit, but he can do everything else.

The New York Times

Provided, of course, he is not able to slip out of jail a second time.Photo: AFP.

The Economist

Mr. Gadkari added, "He is not able to control the bureaucracy and not able to control the coalition partners".

The New York Times

If he is not able to play by Monday, the Cubs may have to put him on the disabled list.

The New York Times

Therefore he feels he is not able to go forward continuing to be a member of the shadow cabinet".

The Guardian

He is not able to conform to society's expectations by taking exams and tests to demonstrate his intellect.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, on any finding, he is not able to say that Mr Hutcheson exceeded his authority in any respect.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He is not able to write back every day, but he rarely misses more than a day or two.

The New York Times - Tech

"We are obviously disappointed that he is not able to continue to his work with Chapter during these challenging days.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he is not able", ensure the context clearly specifies what he is unable to do. Be precise to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of just stating "he is not able", specify "he is not able to attend the meeting".

Common error

Avoid excessive use of the passive voice when using "he is not able". Instead of saying "The task he is not able to complete", prefer "He is not able to complete the task". This enhances clarity and directness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is not able" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a subject, indicating a lack of capacity or ability. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is not able" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote someone's inability to perform an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and versatile across various contexts. While "he cannot" offers a more casual alternative, "he is not able" finds its place in news, formal documents, and general communication. Remember to clearly state what someone is unable to do and avoid overuse of the passive voice. When in doubt, consider other alternatives like "he is unable to" for a slightly more formal tone or "he lacks the ability to" to emphasize missing skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he cannot

Direct synonym expressing inability.

he is unable to

More formal synonym for "he is not able".

he is incapable of

Highlights a fundamental lack of capacity.

he lacks the ability to

Emphasizes the absence of a specific skill or capability.

he does not have the capacity to

Focuses on the absence of inherent capacity.

he is prevented from

Indicates an external force hindering the action.

he is not equipped to

Implies a lack of necessary resources or skills.

he is restricted from

Similar to 'prevented', implying a limitation.

he is in no position to

Suggests a lack of suitable circumstances.

he fails to

More concise way of expressing an inability to succeed.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "he is not able"?

You can use alternatives like "he cannot", "he is unable to", or "he lacks the ability to" depending on the context.

Is "he is not able to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "he is not able" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express an inability to do something. It's a more formal way of saying "he cannot".

When should I use "he is not able" versus "he cannot"?

"He is not able" is generally more formal than "he cannot". Use "he is not able" in professional or academic writing, and "he cannot" in casual conversation or informal writing.

What's the difference between "he is not able" and "he is unable to"?

The phrases "he is not able" and "he is unable to" are nearly synonymous. "He is unable to" is slightly more formal and emphasizes a lack of capacity or qualification.