he is unavailable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is unavailable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is not present or cannot be reached at a particular time. Example: "I'm sorry, but he is unavailable for a meeting right now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

If he is unavailable, Freddie Mitchell will start.

The New York Times - Sports

City this season no longer miss Sergio Agüero when he is unavailable, never mind Touré.

The Guardian - Sport

That means he is unavailable for Chelsea's challenge for a treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

The Guardian - Sport

(a) When a hearsay declarant is not present for cross-examination at trial, the Confrontation Clause normally requires a showing that he is unavailable.

Cornell University

He is unavailable that weekend because he is on wedding duty, giving away Ashia Hansen, Britain's former world indoor ­triple jump champion.

The Guardian - Sport

The Cup-tied Senegalese was supposed to ease the burden but Ba feels increasingly missed when he is unavailable, as he was here.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

He was unavailable for comment.

Independent

He was unavailable to comment.

The Guardian

He was unavailable for comment on Wednesday.

The New York Times

He was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Independent

He was unavailable for interviews again Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is unavailable" when you want to politely convey that someone cannot be reached or is not able to participate in something. It's a professional way to explain someone's absence without disclosing specific details.

Common error

Avoid using "he is unavailable" when you actually mean "he is unwilling". "Unavailable" refers to a lack of ability or opportunity, while "unwilling" suggests a lack of desire. For example, saying "he is unavailable to help" implies he can't, while saying "he is unwilling to help" implies he doesn't want to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is unavailable" functions as a statement indicating someone's temporary absence or inability to be reached or participate. It is a polite way of conveying that someone is not currently accessible, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he is unavailable" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that someone cannot be reached or is unable to participate in something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While interchangeable with phrases like "he is not available", it's important to distinguish it from "he is unwilling". The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for a wide range of contexts. Use "he is unavailable" when you need to politely and professionally convey someone's absence or inability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is not accessible

Focuses on the inability to reach him.

he is not reachable

Highlights the impossibility of contacting him.

he is not present

Emphasizes his physical absence.

he is out of office

Indicates his absence from the workplace.

he is occupied

Suggests he is busy with something else.

he is engaged

Implies he is currently involved in another activity.

he is tied up

Similar to occupied, indicating he is busy.

he is indisposed

Suggests he is temporarily unable to attend due to illness or other reasons.

he is off duty

Indicates he is not working at the moment.

he is on leave

Suggests he is taking time off from work.

FAQs

What does "he is unavailable" mean?

The phrase "he is unavailable" means that a person is not able to be contacted, present, or participate in something at a particular time. It implies a temporary inability to be reached or engaged.

What can I say instead of "he is unavailable"?

You can use alternatives like "he is not available", "he is out of office", or "he is not reachable" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he's unavailable"?

Yes, "he's unavailable" is a perfectly acceptable contraction of "he is unavailable". Both forms are grammatically correct and widely used.

What is the difference between "he is unavailable" and "he is not available"?

The phrases "he is unavailable" and "he is not available" are largely interchangeable and carry the same meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.