not available

USAGE SUMMARY

"not available" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that is not accessible or cannot be obtained. For example, "The video you requested is not available at this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not available.

The New Yorker

Maureen is not available.

The New Yorker

Was Buffalo not available?

The New Yorker

Was Google not available?

The New York Times

He's not available.

Independent

Not available online.

Independent

Answer: not available.

Independent

I'm not available, sorry.

The New York Times - Sports

Not available in stores.

The New York Times

It was not available.

The New York Times

Beer is not available.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not available", specify the reason for unavailability if possible to provide context and clarity. For example, instead of saying "The product is not available", say "The product is not available due to supply chain issues."

Common error

Avoid using "not available" as a way to avoid stating who is responsible or what action caused the unavailability. Be direct when possible. For example, instead of "Assistance is not available", try "We cannot provide assistance at this time."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not available" functions primarily as an adjective phrase. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and is employed to describe the state of being inaccessible or unattainable. The phrase modifies a noun, indicating that the noun in question cannot be accessed, obtained, or used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not available" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that effectively communicates unavailability across numerous contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is most commonly found in news and media, and scientific writing, suggesting a neutral tone. While alternatives like "unavailable", "out of stock", and "inaccessible" exist, "not available" remains a versatile and reliable choice for expressing that something is inaccessible or unattainable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unavailable

Single-word synonym for "not available".

inaccessible

Indicates that something cannot be reached or obtained.

not accessible

Rephrasing of 'inaccessible' using multiple words.

not obtainable

Indicates something cannot be acquired or gained.

out of stock

Specifically refers to items that are not currently in supply.

out of service

Indicates a resource is temporarily or permanently not functioning.

booked up

Similar to "tied up" but often referring to appointments or schedules.

tied up

Colloquial way of saying someone is busy and unable to assist.

engaged

Meaning that someone is currently occupied and unable to respond.

not present

Indicates absence of a person or an object.

FAQs

How can I use "not available" in a sentence?

You can use "not available" to indicate that something is inaccessible or unattainable. For example: "The requested feature is not available in this version" or "The speaker is not available for comment at this time."

What are some alternatives to saying "not available"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "unavailable", "out of stock", or "inaccessible".

Is it better to say "is not available" or "isn't available"?

Both "is not available" and "isn't available" are grammatically correct and acceptable. "Isn't available" is a contraction of "is not available" and is generally considered more informal.

What's the difference between "not available" and "not accessible"?

"Not available" generally implies that something cannot be obtained or used at the moment, while ""not accessible"" indicates that something cannot be reached or entered. The terms can often be used interchangeably, but ""not accessible"" emphasizes physical or logical inaccessibility.