unable to advance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unable to advance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where progress or movement is not possible, often in contexts like technology, personal development, or physical movement. Example: "Due to technical difficulties, the software is currently unable to advance to the next stage of the installation process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The runners were unable to advance.

The New York Times - Sports

For six months the rebels were unable to advance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She was unable to advance the ball to the green.

The New York Times - Sports

The dropouts who are working-class Americans are often unable to advance without a degree.

The New York Times

Back in Çengelköy, the putschists had seized the police station but were unable to advance further.

The Guardian

Unable to advance comfortably or with confidence, he became a static target for Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah.

The Guardian - Sport

Two months after the prime minister resigned, on the grounds that he was unable to advance the country's peace process, Nepal remains without a leader.

The Economist

Instead of a place of wealth and economic superiority, Olmsted found a closed society imprisoned by the crop, unable to advance, diversify or feed its own people.

The New York Times

Ethel Bates, a community activist, bought the building in 2003 but was unable to advance her plan to renovate it as a culinary school.

The New York Times

Pam Knox, the Western Oregon coach, made sure no teammates touched Tucholsky, which would have automatically made her unable to advance.

The New York Times - Sports

It was the third time in recent weeks that House Democrats had produced a majority for their energy-related bills but were unable to advance them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or project that has stalled, use "unable to advance" to clearly communicate the lack of progress. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "unable to advance" without clarifying the reason for the stagnation. Simply stating the inability to progress leaves the audience wondering about the underlying issues. Always provide context to enhance understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to advance" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a lack of capacity for forward movement or progression. As seen in Ludwig, it is commonly used to describe stalled processes or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Wiki

42%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unable to advance" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a state of stagnation or lack of progress. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. It's most commonly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, and its neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. While the phrase is straightforward, clarifying the reason behind the inability to advance enhances its communicative power. Related phrases like "incapable of progressing" or "not able to proceed" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the intended tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incapable of progressing

Replaces "unable" with "incapable" and "advance" with "progressing", maintaining the core meaning of lacking the capacity to move forward.

unable to move ahead

Substitutes "advance" with "move ahead", providing a more directional sense of progression.

not able to proceed

Substitutes "unable" with "not able" and "advance" with "proceed", offering a slightly more formal tone.

hindered from advancing

Replaces "unable" with "hindered", focusing on the obstacles preventing movement.

impeded from progressing

Similar to "hindered", this emphasizes the obstruction to forward movement.

prevented from moving forward

Uses a passive construction to emphasize the external force causing the inability to progress.

held back from progression

Emphasizes the act of being restrained from making progress.

stuck in place

Offers a more colloquial and concise way to express the idea of being unable to move.

at a standstill

A more figurative expression suggesting complete lack of movement or progress.

deadlocked

Suggests a situation where progress is impossible due to opposing forces or stalemate.

FAQs

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

You can use "unable to advance" to describe a situation where progress or movement is hindered or impossible. For example, "Due to technical difficulties, the project was "unable to advance"."

What are some alternatives to "unable to advance"?

Some alternatives include "incapable of progressing", "not able to proceed", or "prevented from moving forward", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "unable to advance" in writing?

"Unable to advance" is appropriate in both formal and informal writing to describe situations where progress is halted. It's particularly useful in technical, business, and military contexts.

What is the difference between "unable to advance" and "unable to progress"?

While both phrases are very similar, "unable to advance" often implies a more specific, directional movement or progress, whereas "unable to progress" can refer to broader, more general advancement. They are often interchangeable, but context can influence the best choice.