not able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not able to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express an inability to do something or a lack of capability. Example: "I am not able to attend the meeting due to a prior commitment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I'm not able to".

The New York Times

"Many are not able to afford it".

The Guardian

We are not able to eat.

The New York Times

Parents are not able to do it".

The New York Times - Sports

They were not able to reschedule.

The New York Times - Sports

They are not able to save.

The New York Times

"She was not able to breathe.

The New Yorker

"We're not able to capture differences".

The New York Times

She was not able to speak.

The New Yorker

It similarly was not able to hover.

Independent

Not able to place it?

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness and a slightly more formal tone, consider using "unable to" instead of "not able to". For example, "We are unable to process your request at this time" sounds more professional than "We are not able to process your request at this time".

Common error

Avoid using "able to" when a passive construction is more appropriate and clearer. Instead of writing "The problem was not able to be solved", a better alternative is "The problem could not be solved" or "The problem was not solvable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not able to" functions as a modifier, specifically indicating a lack of capacity or capability. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it's used to express an inability to perform an action, as in, "I'm not able to talk to you".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not able to" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express an inability or lack of capacity. As supported by Ludwig, its usage is widespread across diverse contexts, from news reports to scientific articles. While "not able to" is generally acceptable in most situations, opting for "unable to" can enhance conciseness in more formal writing. Remember to avoid using "able to" in passive voice constructions and consider using alternative phrases to convey the message of "not able to" to specific readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to

This is a more formal and concise alternative, directly conveying the lack of ability.

incapable of

Similar to 'unable to', but emphasizes a fundamental lack of capacity or skill.

not capable of

A slightly more emphatic version of 'unable to', highlighting the lack of inherent ability.

cannot

A more direct and common contraction, indicating an impossibility or prohibition.

not in a position to

Indicates a lack of suitability or readiness to perform a task due to circumstances.

not equipped to

Suggests a lack of the necessary resources, tools, or skills for a task.

ill-equipped to

Similar to 'not equipped to', but emphasizes the inadequacy of resources or skills.

unfit to

Implies a lack of suitability or qualification for a specific role or task.

powerless to

Highlights the lack of authority or control to effect a desired outcome.

out of my depth

An idiomatic expression indicating a lack of knowledge or skill to handle a situation.

FAQs

What is a more formal synonym for "not able to"?

A more formal synonym for "not able to" is "unable to". It is often preferred in professional and academic writing for its conciseness.

When is it better to use "cannot" instead of "not able to"?

"Cannot" is generally preferred in situations where you want to express a direct prohibition or impossibility. "I cannot attend the meeting" is more concise and direct than "I am not able to attend the meeting". Note that "cannot" is written as one word.

What's the difference between "not able to" and "not capable of"?

While both phrases express an inability, "not capable of" often emphasizes a more fundamental lack of skill or inherent ability. For example, "He is not capable of understanding advanced physics" suggests a deeper limitation than "He is not able to understand advanced physics right now".

How can I rephrase "not able to" to sound more empathetic?

To sound more empathetic, you might use phrases like "Unfortunately, I'm "not in a position to" help at the moment" or "I'm "not equipped to" handle that request right now". These soften the message and suggest a willingness to assist if circumstances were different.