remains unable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remains unable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continued state of incapacity or inability to perform a task or action. Example: "Despite numerous attempts to fix the issue, the system remains unable to process transactions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"After due consideration and in light of the fact that Keyshawn has two years remaining on his contract, our organization remains unable to address the contract of Keyshawn in the near or foreseeable short-term future".

The New York Times - Sports

Unfortunately, Kabul remains unable to deliver.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nina, at 22, remains unable to speak or care for herself.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, Mr. Florio's underfinanced campaign has broadcast no ads and remains unable to respond in kind.

The New York Times

Despite the removal of Smith, the Napthine government remains unable to proceed with its legislative agenda.

The Guardian - Opinion

Venezuela has offered him political asylum but he remains unable to travel there without travel documents.

The Guardian

It also illustrates why the Trump administration remains unable to shake the Russia story.

The Washington Post

Mr. Koring refused and remains unable to return to Guant?mo.

The New York Times

He put his house on the market two years ago – he remains unable to sell it – and moved overseas.

The Guardian

The Guardian remains unable to report the allegation for legal reasons, notwithstanding the fact that it is denied by Starr.

The Guardian

And, crucially, the tax authority remains unable to access bank information to help it detect tax evasion.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remains unable to" to convey persistence or a lack of resolution over time. It implies that a previous attempt to achieve something has not been successful and the situation has not changed.

Common error

Avoid using "remains unable to" in situations where a simpler phrase like "cannot" or "is unable to" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remains unable to" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, indicating a continuing state of incapacity. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

22%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remains unable to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates a continuing state of incapacity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase, found most often in news and media, science, and academic contexts. When writing, consider the formal tone and ensure it fits the context. For variety, alternatives such as "continues to be incapable of" or "still cannot" can be used, but the core meaning of a persistent lack of ability is consistent. Remember to avoid overuse in simpler contexts for a more concise and effective writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continues to be incapable of

Indicates a sustained lack of ability, similar to the original phrase, but uses 'incapable' for emphasis.

still cannot

A more direct and concise way of expressing the same inability.

has not been able to

Focuses on the past attempts and the continuing lack of success.

is still not in a position to

Highlights the circumstances preventing the action.

persists in being unable to

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the inability.

continues to lack the capacity to

Replaces 'unable' with 'lack the capacity', adding a formal tone.

is perpetually unable to

Adds emphasis on the continuous and seemingly permanent nature of the inability.

has consistently failed to

Shifts the focus to a pattern of unsuccessful attempts.

is still struggling to

Indicates effort is being made, but success hasn't been achieved.

finds itself unable to

Highlights the current situation and the inability to proceed.

FAQs

What does "remains unable to" mean?

The phrase "remains unable to" means that someone or something continues to lack the capacity or ability to do something, suggesting a persistent or ongoing state of inability.

How can I use "remains unable to" in a sentence?

You can use "remains unable to" to describe a situation where something has not changed, and the subject is still incapable of performing a certain action. For example, "Despite numerous attempts, the system "remains unable to" process the data".

What are some alternatives to "remains unable to"?

Alternatives include "still cannot", "continues to be incapable of", or "has not been able to". Each of these phrases offers a slightly different nuance while conveying a similar meaning of continued inability. Consider to use instead "continues to be incapable of", "still cannot", or "has not been able to".

Is "remains unable to" formal or informal?

"Remains unable to" is generally considered a more formal phrase. In informal contexts, "still can't" or "still unable to" might be more appropriate. Consider the audience of your text!