no longer able

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "no longer able" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has lost the ability to do something that was previously possible. Example: "After the accident, she was no longer able to walk without assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No longer able to score at will.

The Guardian - Sport

Kidd was no longer able to hold back.

The New York Times - Sports

A story repeated from those no longer able to tell.

The Guardian - Opinion

By then, he was no longer able to talk.

The New York Times - Health

Musicians were no longer able to find work.

The New York Times - Magazine

No longer able to drive, he was losing his independence.

The New York Times

Many are no longer able to send money home.

The New York Times

In 1910 he was no longer able to walk.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Impoverished Indians were no longer able to afford this essential.

Independent

As Ms. Holm appears no longer able to recall.

The New York Times

But soccer is no longer able to presume innocence.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "no longer able", ensure the context clearly indicates what ability has been lost and why. For instance, "Due to the injury, he is "no longer able" to compete."

Common error

Avoid using "no longer able to can" as it's redundant. Instead, stick with "no longer able to" followed by the verb representing the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no longer able" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a subject, indicating a loss of capacity or capability. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "no longer able" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to indicate a loss of capability. According to Ludwig AI, its widespread use across various contexts, from news reports to academic papers, confirms its acceptability. When writing, ensure the context clearly defines the lost ability. Be mindful of redundancy, and opt for this phrase when emphasizing a change in someone or something's capacity. The phrase functions as an adjective phrase and is a reliable way to express diminished capacity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can no longer

Inverts the structure while maintaining the same core meaning.

incapable now

Replaces "no longer" with "now" and "able" with "incapable", emphasizing the present state of inability.

presently unable

Substitutes "no longer" with "presently", indicating a current lack of ability.

not currently capable

Replaces "able" with "capable" and adds "currently" to highlight the present timeframe.

has lost the ability to

Uses a verb-based structure to convey the loss of ability.

lost the capacity to

Replaces "ability" with "capacity", offering a more formal alternative.

unable from now on

Focuses on a future and continuous inability.

not in a position to

Indicates inability due to circumstance rather than inherent capability.

ceases to be capable

A more formal and emphatic way of stating the loss of ability.

can't anymore

A more casual and concise way to express the same idea.

FAQs

How can I use "no longer able" in a sentence?

Use "no longer able" to indicate a lost capability or inability to perform a certain action. Example: "After the surgery, she was "no longer able" to walk without assistance."

What phrases are similar to "no longer able"?

You can use alternatives like "incapable now", "presently unable", or "not currently capable" depending on the context.

Is "no longer able to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "no longer able" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that someone or something has lost the capacity to do something.

What's the difference between "no longer able" and "not able"?

"No longer able" implies a change in ability, meaning the subject was once capable but isn't anymore. "Not able" simply indicates a current lack of ability without specifying whether there was a prior capability.