is unable to identify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is unable to identify" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone or something lacks the ability to recognize or determine something. Example: "The technician is unable to identify the source of the problem despite thorough investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, the test is unable to identify which specific areas of the brain have been damaged.

Stanford University

The tagging used by ScorecardResearch is unable to identify the user visiting a page.

Stanford University

The female is unable to identify a male by his flashing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although she is fully willing to waive her anonymity, the Guardian is unable to identify her or her alleged assailant for legal reasons.

The Guardian

For example, the BPE is unable to identify patients with historical periodontitis, as it is based upon BoP and PPD, rather than recording attachment and bone loss.

Nature

Guardian Australia is unable to identify Hanna's client because of a broad and indefinite suppression order issued by a NSW supreme court judge.

The Guardian

The picture of the drone was taken by a photographer the Navy is unable to identify; it was not taken by Cmdr.

The New York Times

But the Commissioner is unable to identify language in the statute that makes this distinction relevant, and we certainly find none.

Cornell University

However, this can lead to situations of indeterminacy, meaning that the decision maker is unable to identify a single concept as the most preferred.

Computer-Aided Design

In a recent interview, Jacquot said that he is "unable to identify with a main character who's male," and he says that, in "3 Hearts," he "is well aware that the film slipped over to Charlotte Gainsbourg".

The New Yorker

It fails to even start to mount a defence of the marketisation aspects of the health and social care bill, and is unable to identify any true increase in democratic accountability, let alone local control.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is unable to identify", ensure the context clearly specifies what is not being identified and why. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is unable to identify" when a simple "struggles to identify" would be more accurate. Overstating the inability can weaken your argument, especially in contexts where partial identification is possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is unable to identify" functions as a descriptor of incapacity, indicating a lack of ability to recognize or determine something. As evidenced by the Ludwig AI examples, this phrase is used to describe limitations in systems, individuals, or processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

26%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is unable to identify" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signals an incapacity to recognize or determine something. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals its common occurrence in scientific, news, and academic contexts. While versatile, writers should ensure the context warrants such a definitive statement of inability and consider more nuanced alternatives when appropriate. The phrase exhibits a neutral register, suitable for various levels of formality. Alternative phrases like "cannot recognize" or "fails to detect" can provide more concise or emphatic options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot recognize

Replaces "is unable" with the direct negative "cannot", providing a more concise alternative.

cannot distinguish

Focuses on the inability to differentiate between different elements or options.

is incapable of recognizing

Substitutes "unable" with "incapable", suggesting a fundamental lack of ability.

fails to detect

Emphasizes the failure in the process of detection, highlighting the lack of success.

is unable to discern

Uses "discern" instead of "identify", focusing on a lack of understanding.

lacks the ability to discern

Replaces "identify" with "discern", emphasizing the lack of perceptive ability.

is not capable of differentiating

Replaces "unable" and "identify" with more formal alternatives, "not capable" and "differentiating".

is not able to pinpoint

Replaces "identify" with "pinpoint", highlighting the difficulty in locating something precisely.

cannot make out

Uses a phrasal verb to convey the inability to perceive or understand something clearly.

is blind to

Employs a metaphorical expression suggesting a complete inability to perceive something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "is unable to identify"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot recognize", "fails to detect", or "is incapable of recognizing" depending on the context.

How to use "is unable to identify" in a sentence?

Use "is unable to identify" to express a lack of capacity or ability to recognize, pinpoint, or determine something. For example: "The software is unable to identify the specific malware strain."

Which is correct, "is unable to identify" or "cannot identify"?

Both "is unable to identify" and "cannot identify" are grammatically correct. "Cannot identify" is generally more concise, while "is unable to identify" can sometimes emphasize the lack of capability more strongly.

What's the difference between "is unable to identify" and "is difficult to identify"?

"Is unable to identify" suggests a complete lack of ability to recognize or determine something. In contrast, "is difficult to identify" implies that identification is possible but challenging.