is unable to make

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is unable to make" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone or something lacks the ability or capacity to create or produce something. Example: "She is unable to make a decision without consulting her team first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is unable to make physical contact.

Independent

He is unable to make the trip by public transportation.

The New York Times

For once, Laughing Len is unable to make the song submit to his will.

The Guardian - Music

He is unable to make the rules as he once did.

The New York Times

The inquiry is unable to make findings of criminal or civil liability.

The Guardian

He is unable to make out her features or even her age.

The New Yorker

The British government is unable to make that argument directly, so can only offer help via the IMF.

The Economist

He said Mr. Komisarjevsky has cognitive difficulties and is unable to make quick decisions in stressful situations.

The New York Times

Presumably, the singer feels the urge to migrate, perhaps to San Antone, but is unable to make travel arrangements.

The New York Times - Science

Even at his father's deathbed, Nathan is unable to make amends, but also unable to shut up.

The New Yorker

One struggles to give up smoking, another, a former musician, is unable to make a video renouncing his former life as un-Islamic.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is unable to make", ensure the sentence clearly indicates the specific action or creation that is being prevented. For example, "The company is unable to make a profit this quarter."

Common error

Avoid embedding "is unable to make" within overly long or convoluted sentences. This can obscure the meaning and make the writing difficult to follow. Keep it concise for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is unable to make" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a lack of capability or capacity to perform a specific action or create something. Ludwig provides examples showing this phrase in various contexts, reinforcing its use in expressing an inability. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is unable to make" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to indicate a lack of ability or capacity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for use in written English. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral register lending itself well to professional communications. Alternatives such as "cannot create" or "is incapable of producing" can be used for variety. To improve clarity, ensure that sentences using "is unable to make" are concise and clearly identify what cannot be made.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot create

Direct replacement, emphasizes the lack of ability to bring something into existence.

is incapable of producing

More formal and emphasizes a fundamental lack of capacity to generate something.

lacks the capacity to form

Highlights the absence of the necessary resources or conditions to create something.

is not in a position to establish

Focuses on the situational inability to set up or create something.

is prevented from constructing

Emphasizes an external force or barrier hindering the creation process.

finds it impossible to generate

Highlights the extreme difficulty or impossibility of creating something.

is unequipped to develop

Focuses on the lack of necessary skills or tools to bring something into existence.

doesn't have the means to manufacture

Emphasizes the lack of necessary resources or methods to produce something, often on a larger scale.

is not empowered to originate

Highlights a lack of authority or permission to initiate or create something.

fails to bring about

Emphasizes the unsuccessful attempt to create or produce a desired outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "is unable to make" in a sentence?

Use "is unable to make" to indicate a lack of ability or capacity to perform a specific action or creation. For example, "Due to the power outage, the factory "is unable to make" its usual quota of products."

What are some alternatives to "is unable to make"?

Alternatives include "cannot create", "is incapable of producing", or "lacks the capacity to form", depending on the context. All three alternatives focus on the absence of ability.

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

Both "is unable to make" and "cannot make" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "Cannot make" is generally more concise, while "is unable to make" can sound slightly more formal or emphasize the inability.

What's the difference between "is unable to make" and "was unable to make"?

"Is unable to make" indicates a present inability, whereas "was unable to make" refers to an inability in the past. For example, "The team is unable to make the deadline" (present) versus "The team was unable to make the deadline last week" (past).