not able to come

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not able to come" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an inability to attend an event or meeting. Example: "I'm sorry, but I will not be able to come to the party this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"But sometimes you fail; sometimes you're not able to come up with alternative policies".

The New York Times

"On one level I am sad he was not able to come back.

Independent

If we're not able to come to the table, the consequences are huge.

The New York Times - Science

"To my disappointment, we were not able to come up with a single position".

The New York Times

"She saw every single project, every band, until she was not able to come the last few years.

The New York Times - Arts

We felt it was unfortunate that Europe was not able to come to the aid of that country".

The New York Times

He mentioned "parts of" the Bible, erred on the author of another book and was not able to come up with a third.

The New York Times

At Paddington, problems in safety testing after work on signalling meant trains were not able to come into the west London station until the afternoon of 27 December.

The Guardian

If Teixeira is not able to come back, Cashman may have to go back to perusing other teams' transactions to find another upgrade, while outsiders predict doom.

The New York Times - Sports

"People need to work, they need to buy something and earn their living, but in such circumstances you are not able to come outside".

The New York Times

Live on the other side, he said, and "your kids are not able to come to the schools or the libraries or any services.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not able to come", consider the context and adjust the level of formality accordingly. In formal settings, "unable to attend" might be a better choice, while in casual settings, "can't make it" could be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using overly formal alternatives like "unable to attend" in casual conversations. Sticking to simpler phrases like "can't make it" or "won't be there" maintains a friendly tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not able to come" functions as a predicate adjective describing a state of inability. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is a perfectly usable phrase in written English. It serves to express that someone is incapable of attending or participating in an event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not able to come" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for expressing an inability to attend an event. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context when choosing between this and more formal alternatives like "unable to attend". The phrase is commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts, showing its broad applicability. Understanding these nuances helps ensure clear and appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to attend

Replaces the phrase with a more formal synonym, "attend", and removes the auxiliary verb.

cannot make it

Uses a contraction and a more casual expression, "make it", to convey the same meaning.

unable to be present

Emphasizes the physical absence with the term "present".

will not be there

A more direct and simple way of stating absence.

cannot attend

A more concise and formal version.

prevented from attending

Highlights the reason for the inability to attend, suggesting an external cause.

forced to decline

Emphasizes the unwillingness, implying external forces are the reason.

regretfully decline

Adds an element of regret to the inability to attend.

will miss the event

Focuses on missing the occasion, emphasizing the absence.

will be absent

A formal declaration of being away.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "not able to come"?

You can use alternatives like "unable to attend", "cannot make it", or "will not be there" depending on the context.

Is "not able to come" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not able to come" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It expresses an inability to attend or participate in something.

What is the difference between "not able to come" and "unable to come"?

While both phrases convey the same meaning, "unable to come" is generally considered more formal than "not able to come". Choose the phrase that best suits the context and your intended tone.

How can I use "not able to come" in a sentence?

You can use "not able to come" in a sentence like this: "I'm sorry, but I'm "not able to come" to the meeting tomorrow."