still unable to

USAGE SUMMARY

"still unable to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has not changed - or that the inability to do something is ongoing. For example: "Despite several attempts, he was still unable to solve the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Woodhead is still unable to resist controversy.

The Guardian

He was lonely in Tokyo, still unable to make friends.

The New Yorker

Some 18,000 refugees are still unable to return home.

The Economist

Sorry, we are still unable to process your request.

The New Yorker

But I was still unable to reach my relatives there.

The New York Times

"J. . ." Tina says, still unable to picture it.

The Washington Post

And we are still unable to see it.

The Washington Post

Seven hours later, they were still unable to vote.

The Guardian

And here I am still unable to write about it.

The Guardian - Books

"Enough now!" He called, still unable to see the troublemaker.

The Guardian - Books

Torre said Justice is still unable to turn his head.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "still unable to", ensure the context clearly indicates what prior attempts or expectations have not yet resulted in success. This adds clarity and emphasizes the ongoing nature of the inability.

Common error

Avoid using "still unable to" without establishing a prior attempt or expectation. For example, instead of saying "The software is still unable to process the file", provide context: "Despite multiple updates, the software is still unable to process the file."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "still unable to" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject, indicating a continuing lack of capacity or capability. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "still unable to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a persistent lack of capability or success despite previous attempts or expectations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its versatility allows it to be used in various contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific publications. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to provide context regarding what was attempted or expected. While alternatives exist, such as "consistently unable to" or "currently incapable of", "still unable to" remains a direct and widely understood way to communicate ongoing inability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consistently unable to

Emphasizes the habitual or repeated nature of the inability.

currently incapable of

Highlights the present lack of ability, focusing on the capacity aspect.

as yet unable to

Stresses that up until now, the ability has not been attained.

remaining unable to

Indicates that the inability persists over a period of time.

continuing to be unable to

Explicitly states the ongoing nature of the lack of ability.

persistently failing to

Focuses on the repeated unsuccessful attempts to achieve something.

repeatedly unable to

Highlights the multiple instances of being unable to do something.

yet to be able to

Emphasizes that the ability is anticipated but has not yet materialized.

cannot yet manage to

Expresses the current lack of success in achieving a specific task or goal.

continues unable to

Expresses the ongoing nature of the inability.

FAQs

How do I use "still unable to" correctly in a sentence?

Use "still unable to" to indicate that a previous attempt or expectation has not yet been met. For example, "Despite the doctor's efforts, the patient is "still unable to walk"".

What are some alternatives to "still unable to"?

You can use alternatives such as "consistently unable to", "currently incapable of", or "as yet unable to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "still" and "unable" together?

While "still" implies a continuation of a state, "unable" indicates a lack of ability. Using them together emphasizes that a previous lack of ability persists, providing added emphasis.

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

"Still unable to" suggests repeated attempts or prolonged expectations that have not been met, whereas "not yet able to" simply indicates that the ability has not developed or been achieved so far, without necessarily implying prior effort. So you can say that I'm "not yet able to" drive as opposed to I'm "still unable to" drive since last accident.