is not in a position to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not in a position to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone lacks the authority, ability, or circumstances to take a certain action or make a decision. Example: "The committee is not in a position to approve the funding request at this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"He is not in a position to give any reassurances.

The Guardian

The Treasury is not in a position to commit significant funds to an expanded programme.

The Guardian

Contemporary society is not in a position to solve the social problems".

The New York Times

"He is not in a position to refuse," the diplomat said.

The New York Times

And Chen is not in a position to make an offer.

The New York Times

Along with many others, Lucent is not in a position to give guidance.

The New York Times

But Walton said he "is not in a position to resolve these inconsistencies".

The Guardian

But, Mr. Goswick's son says, his father is not in a position to provide much oversight.

The New York Times

It is not in a position to ignore proposed new generation.

The New York Times

Fry says the trust is not in a position to examine individual remuneration.

The Guardian

"The UK is not in a position to decide 'I'm not charging duties here'.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not in a position to" to politely decline requests or explain limitations without sounding overly negative or confrontational.

Common error

While acceptable, overuse of "is not in a position to" can make writing sound passive. Consider using stronger verbs or more direct phrasing to convey limitations more effectively. For example, instead of "The company is not in a position to offer raises," try "The company cannot offer raises."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not in a position to" functions as a modal expression indicating a lack of ability, authority, or suitable circumstances to perform a specific action. Ludwig's examples confirm its use in various contexts to politely decline requests or explain limitations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not in a position to" is a versatile expression used to indicate a lack of ability, authority, or suitable circumstances for performing an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral to formal, overuse should be avoided in favor of more direct phrasing. Alternatives like "is unable to" or "cannot" can provide a more concise option. The phrase is most effective when the reason for the limitation is clear, enhancing the overall clarity and credibility of the communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unable to

Focuses on a lack of capability rather than circumstance.

cannot

A more direct and concise way of expressing inability.

is not capable of

Emphasizes the lack of inherent capacity or skill.

lacks the capacity to

Highlights the absence of necessary resources or ability.

is not equipped to

Implies a lack of necessary tools or preparation.

is not authorized to

Highlights a lack of permission or official approval.

is not entitled to

Focuses on a lack of legal or moral right.

is prevented from

Suggests an external force hindering action.

is constrained from

Indicates limitations or restrictions.

is out of their depth

Implies situation exceeds current skill or knowledge.

FAQs

What does "is not in a position to" mean?

The phrase "is not in a position to" indicates that someone or something lacks the ability, authority, or suitable circumstances to take a particular action or make a certain decision.

What can I say instead of "is not in a position to"?

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

When is it appropriate to use "is not in a position to"?

It's appropriate to use "is not in a position to" when you need to politely explain a limitation, decline a request, or indicate that someone or something is not capable of performing a certain action due to circumstances, authority, or ability.

Is there a difference between "is not in a position to" and "is unable to"?

While both phrases convey a lack of ability, "is not in a position to" often implies that external factors or circumstances are contributing to the inability, whereas "is unable to" focuses more on a lack of inherent capability.