not obtainable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not obtainable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something cannot be acquired or accessed. Example: "Due to supply chain issues, the product is currently not obtainable."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Thus, even if PUFA-benefit data can be obtained free of MeHg confounding, unconfounded MeHg risk data are not obtainable.

Environmental Health Perspectives

But they also offer information not obtainable by reporters pressed to publish every day, who have to worry about maintaining relationships with sensitive sources.

The New York Times - Books

Sulfonium and aminosulfoxonium ylides have also been used to synthesize "designer" polymers (e.g., polymers containing various groups not obtainable through conventional polymerization).

Encyclopedia Britannica

He also travelled to the Netherlands and Denmark, usually to collect child pornographic magazines and video films not obtainable in this country.

Independent

Surveys can be used to provide critical research data that are not obtainable through other methodologies.

Seminars in Cerebrovascular Diseases and Stroke

Several pore growth parameters could thus be extracted in situ that are otherwise not obtainable.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Protein microarrays are being utilized for functional proteomic analysis, providing information not obtainable by gene arrays.

Journal of Immunological Methods

It was possible to extract several important parameters for the etching process in situ, which are otherwise not obtainable.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Unlike the Pareto (I) case, closed form expressions for the resulting density are apparently not obtainable, although moments of such products are readily available.

Journal of Statistical Distributions and Applications

Proposed method was compared with standard LEIS measurement on system which undergoes rapid changes, giving results that were not obtainable with standard method.

Electrochimica Acta

Data from interviews adds rich insights not obtainable through questionnaires.

Environmental Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not obtainable", ensure the context clearly indicates why something cannot be obtained. Is it due to physical limitations, legal restrictions, or other factors?

Common error

Avoid using "not obtainable" when something is merely difficult to obtain, rather than truly impossible. Consider alternatives like "difficult to acquire" or "challenging to secure" to more accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not obtainable" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it cannot be acquired or accessed. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correct usage. Examples show it describing data, materials, or even goals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not obtainable" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase indicating something cannot be acquired. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate usage across varied sources. Commonly found in scientific and news contexts, it's generally neutral to formal in register. While alternatives exist, "not obtainable" aptly communicates impossibility, as highlighted in the provided examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unattainable

Focuses on the impossibility of achieving something, often due to high standards or difficulty.

inaccessible

Highlights the difficulty or impossibility of reaching or entering something, either physically or metaphorically.

unavailable

Emphasizes that something is not currently accessible or ready for use.

out of reach

Suggests something is beyond one's grasp or capability to obtain.

unprocurable

Formally indicates that something cannot be obtained through effort or means.

beyond reach

Similar to "out of reach", but can also imply that something was once accessible but no longer is.

impossible to get

Directly states the impossibility of obtaining something.

cannot be acquired

Highlights the lack of possibility to gain or come to possess something.

beyond acquisition

Implies that obtaining something is beyond one's capacity or the current circumstances.

not to be had

Informally suggests that something is unavailable or impossible to obtain.

FAQs

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

You can use "not obtainable" to describe something that cannot be acquired or accessed. For instance, "Due to the pandemic, certain materials were "unavailable" or "inaccessible", making them "not obtainable".

What's a more formal alternative to "not obtainable"?

Formal alternatives include "unprocurable" or "beyond acquisition". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is "not obtainable" different from "not available"?

While similar, "not obtainable" often implies a greater degree of difficulty or impossibility in acquiring something than "not available". The latter suggests a temporary or situational lack of access, while the former suggests a more fundamental barrier.

What can I say instead of "not obtainable" in a less formal setting?

In informal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "out of reach" or "impossible to get". These phrases are more conversational and easier to understand.