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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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is unable of

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is unable of" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "is unable to." Example: "She is unable to attend the meeting due to a prior commitment."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Neither were enzymes involved in decarboxylation of histidine and aromatic amino acids found, the latter indicating that L. fermentum 222 is unable of biogenic amine production.

While A. baylyi ADP1 is capable of catabolizing many aromatic inhibitors, such as 4-hydroxybenzoate, vanillate, ferulate, protocatechuate, and benzoate [ 34], it is unable of growing on furfural or 5- hydroxymethyl)furfural as sole carbon sources (data not shown).

We suggest that this behaviour relates to the effect of limited recruitment of new EpoR to the plasma membrane, which is unable of faster recovery after very intense stimulation.

However, whereas the apo-CRP is unable of DNA binding in the absence of cAMP, in the apo-NtcA, the conformation of the helices is permissive for DNA binding [ 6], consistent with in vitro DNA-binding results [ 7].

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Flower is unable, out of professional duty, to name names, to give vent to his genuine frustrations.

It is likely that ΔscrA and ΔscrAΔscrB use the complex carbon source for growth even in the presence of high concentration of sucrose since these mutants were unable of transporting sucrose into cell.

The second time, however, the revolt spread into the provinces of Holland and Zealand, and Alba was unable of quelling it.

To compare these local ambient gradients, reliably ectothermic bees which are unable of heating the thorax (0 24 h old) can be used as gradient thermometers.

Science

Plosone

Mature spermatozoa are unable of transcription, translation, and protein synthesis [ 18].

We are unable, of course, to conclude from the study that the relationship holds for all populations.

Namely, under these constraints, certain reversible reactions proceed only in one direction, while other reactions, termed 'blocked', are unable of carrying flux.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "is unable to" instead of "is unable of". This ensures grammatical correctness and clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "of" after "unable". The correct preposition to use is "to". For instance, instead of writing "He is unable of doing that", write "He is unable to do that".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

80%

Authority and reliability

2.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is unable of" functions as an adjectival phrase attempting to describe a lack of ability or capacity. However, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct usage is "is unable to."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "is unable of" appears in various sources, it's crucial to recognize that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "is unable to". As pointed out by Ludwig AI, using the correct preposition ensures clarity and maintains credibility, especially in formal and professional writing. Alternatives such as "is incapable of" or "cannot" offer similar meanings while adhering to grammatical standards. Despite its occurrence in different contexts, prioritizing grammatical accuracy will enhance the quality of your writing.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "is unable of" in a sentence?

The phrase "is unable of" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "is unable to" followed by a verb. For example: "He is unable to attend the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "is unable of"?

Instead of "is unable of", you can use phrases like "is incapable of", "cannot", or "is not able to".

Is "is unable of" acceptable in formal writing?

No, "is unable of" is not acceptable in formal writing. It's considered a grammatical error. Always use "is unable to" or a similar, grammatically correct alternative.

What's the difference between "is unable to" and "is incapable of"?

While both phrases express a lack of ability, "is incapable of" often implies a more fundamental or inherent lack of ability, whereas "is unable to" can refer to a temporary or situational inability.

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Most frequent sentences: