unable to acknowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unable to acknowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a lack of ability or capacity to recognize or accept something, often in formal or professional contexts. Example: "Due to the overwhelming circumstances, I am currently unable to acknowledge the receipt of your message."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

We are unable to acknowledge or return unpublished submissions.

The New York Times

We are unable to acknowledge or return unpublished letters.

The New York Times

Rather, spoiled children become toxic to society when they are unable to acknowledge their privilege.

The New York Times

It struck me at once that he was unwilling, or unable, to acknowledge what had happened.

The Guardian

June recognized her parents' pain and bewilderment but was unable to acknowledge it.

The New Yorker

De Klerk's remarks will feed latent feelings among many blacks that whites are still unable to acknowledge past injustices.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

But in the early 90s a bitter dispute with his record company, Sony, coincided with private tragedy when Anselmo Feleppa, the long-term partner he had been unable publicly to acknowledge, died from an Aids-related illness.

The Guardian - Music

Neither victim nor flagellant, Mick is a figure of emotional grandeur in a world unable effectively to acknowledge loss – a hostile, alienated geography where community has ceased to exist and only "the economy" remains, alongside the rigidly class-based and vaguely militaristic structure of British social reality.

The Guardian - Books

His monologue is filled with self-justification as well as the confession of someone torn apart by his guilt but unable to fully acknowledge it.

SEP

He seemed clearly unable or unwilling to acknowledge the difference between real beheadings of women and their fictional representations.

The New Yorker

And Lavinia's parents are bourgeois twits, unable or unwilling to acknowledge the social ferment around them.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unable to acknowledge", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the inability is due to a lack of capacity, information, or willingness. For example, "The software is unable to acknowledge the new file format" indicates a technical limitation.

Common error

Avoid using "unable to acknowledge" when you mean "unwilling to acknowledge". "Unable" indicates a lack of capacity or ability, while "unwilling" implies a conscious choice not to acknowledge something. Choose the word that accurately reflects the reason for non-acknowledgment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to acknowledge" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a lack of capacity or ability to recognize or accept something. As stated by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English, appearing frequently in formal and professional contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unable to acknowledge" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression indicating a lack of capacity to recognize or accept something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, this phrase effectively conveys limitations, whether due to a genuine lack of ability or other constraints. While interchangeable alternatives exist, such as "incapable of recognizing" or "fails to recognize", it's crucial to differentiate "unable" from "unwilling" to accurately reflect the situation being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incapable of recognizing

Emphasizes a complete lack of ability to recognize something.

not in a position to accept

Highlights the lack of authority or suitability to accept something.

cannot recognize

Expresses an inability to recognize, often due to a specific circumstance.

fails to recognize

Focuses on the act of failing to recognize something.

unwilling to recognize

Highlights a lack of willingness rather than ability.

refuses to acknowledge

Emphasizes a deliberate refusal to acknowledge something.

denies recognition

Indicates an active denial of recognition.

oblivious to

Highlights a state of unawareness or lack of perception.

turns a blind eye to

Emphasizes a deliberate ignoring of something.

disregards

Highlights the act of ignoring or neglecting something.

FAQs

What does "unable to acknowledge" mean?

The phrase "unable to acknowledge" means someone or something lacks the capacity or ability to recognize, accept, or admit something. It suggests a limitation, whether due to a lack of information, power, or other constraints.

How to use "unable to acknowledge" in a sentence?

You can use "unable to acknowledge" to describe a situation where someone or something is limited in their ability to recognize something. For example, "The system is "unable to acknowledge" the new data format."

What can I say instead of "unable to acknowledge"?

You can use alternatives like "incapable of recognizing", "cannot recognize", or "fails to recognize" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "unable to acknowledge" or "unwilling to acknowledge"?

"Unable to acknowledge" and "unwilling to acknowledge" have different meanings. "Unable" means lacking the ability, while "unwilling" means not wanting to. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation. Use "unwilling to acknowledge" when someone chooses not to recognize something, and ""unable to acknowledge"" when they lack the capacity to do so.