not able to identify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not able to identify" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an inability to recognize or determine something. Example: "The technician was not able to identify the source of the problem during the inspection."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He was not able to identify anything.

The New York Times

TM was not able to identify her attacker by name.

The Guardian

Hollandsworth, to his considerable chagrin, was not able to identify him, either.

The New Yorker

The sole eyewitness to the stabbing was not able to identify him with much certainty.

The New York Times

In some cases, Microsoft was not able to identify the sender of the spam.

The New York Times

There were a number of people we were not able to identify with absolute certainty.

The New York Times

Similarly, we were not able to identify wild cards.

European Journal of Futures Research

We were also not able to identify complications of dysnatremia.

Annals of Intensive Care

CXR was not able to identify 3 pericardial effusions.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Automatic analysis was not able to identify these changes.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Consequently, we are not able to identify which industry and occupation experiences preceded entrepreneurship.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not able to identify", ensure the context clearly indicates what is preventing the identification. Be specific about the limitations or reasons for the inability to identify something.

Common error

Avoid using "not able to identify" without specifying what efforts were made. Providing context about the attempts or limitations helps clarify the situation and adds credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not able to identify" functions as a verb phrase expressing an inability or lack of capacity to recognize or determine something. It specifies a limitation in identifying something, as illustrated in Ludwig examples, where various factors prevent successful identification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

23%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not able to identify" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate an inability to recognize or determine something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. It appears commonly in scientific and news contexts, conveying a neutral to formal tone. While alternatives like "unable to recognize" or "failed to identify" offer more concise options, "not able to identify" remains a versatile choice across various forms of writing. Remember to provide context to clarify the reasons behind the inability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to recognize

Replaces "not able" with "unable", creating a more concise expression of inability.

incapable of identifying

Substitutes "not able" with "incapable of", emphasizing a lack of capacity.

failed to identify

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct statement of failure in identification.

could not identify

Uses "could not" instead of "not able to", offering a simpler construction.

did not manage to identify

Emphasizes the lack of success in identifying, suggesting an attempt was made.

was unsuccessful in identifying

More formal way of saying they didn't succeed in identifying something.

lacked the ability to identify

Focuses on the absence of the necessary ability for identification.

were unable to pinpoint

Uses 'pinpoint' instead of 'identify', adding a sense of precision that is lacking.

couldn't make out

Uses a more informal expression for being unable to discern or identify something.

remained unidentified

Shifts the focus to the object being identified, rather than the actor's inability.

FAQs

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

You can use "not able to identify" to express an inability to recognize or determine something, for example: "The detective was "not able to identify" the suspect from the blurry photograph".

What are some alternatives to "not able to identify"?

Alternatives include phrases like "unable to recognize", "incapable of identifying", or "failed to identify", which can provide more concise or formal ways to express the same idea.

Is it better to say "could not identify" or "not able to identify"?

"Could not identify" is generally more concise and direct. "Not able to identify" is also correct, but can sometimes sound less fluent. The best choice depends on the desired tone and context.

What's the difference between "not able to identify" and "unable to identify"?

"Unable to identify" is a more formal and often preferred alternative to "not able to identify". Both phrases convey the same meaning, but "unable" is typically considered more elegant and succinct.