unable to be attached

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unable to be attached" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that cannot be physically or metaphorically connected or affixed to something else. Example: "The document was unable to be attached due to file size limitations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As shown in Figure 6C, the ΔGG mutants of both SUMO1 and SUMO2 were unable to be attached to either CtBP or Pc2 when expressed in COS1 cells.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nine swab results were unable to be linked as their identifier had not been attached to any questionnaire.

Plosone

The prosecutor said the boy, who is unable to walk and is attached to a feeding tube because of an eating disorder, was discovered by a motel employee.

The New York Times

When the volume of porogen decreases than 10 mL, the polymer pores shrined and the analyte was unable to get attached properly.

Applied Water Science

Some breast milk expressing deserves consideration as incidental, something a mother might do only on occasion, for example when she needs to go out without her baby, when introducing infant cereal, when the infant is ill or unable to attach or is refusing the breast.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Therefore, courtships in which females failed to mount the male, or in which the male was unable to attach a spermatophore were scored as unsuccessful.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

"Another person crossing a busy intersection where many people were walking said, 'Oh, those Presbyterians should be more careful.' It's not a question of not knowing, but being unable to attach what you know is the meaning to the sounds".

The New York Times - Health

The phenotype is slightly different in mutants of the Ne1-encoding gene gpS of Myophage P2: phages form tails that are unable to attach to heads, and are non-infectious, suggesting a defect in the head-tail joining process [ 59].

BMC Genomics

On the contrary, SIECΔp1-eLEE5 bacteria were unable to attach to HeLa cells, being washed out of the preparation and not inducing any alteration in the actin cytoskeleton.

ACS Synthetic Biology

The results with a BIRD sequence would be similar to those of Figure  2 d, but with doublets for geminal protons, since BIRD is unable to decouple protons attached to the same C nucleus.

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition

The hallmark of this is that the partner is unable to attach aversive motivational value to the suffering of others (like Mr. Harris above) despite being able to infer its presence.

Consciousness and Cognition

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unable to be attached", ensure the context clearly indicates what is attempting to be attached and why the attachment is impossible. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "unable to be attached" when an active voice construction would be more direct and clear. For instance, instead of "the file was unable to be attached by the user", say "the user could not attach the file".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to be attached" functions primarily as a passive construction, describing the state of an object or entity that cannot be connected or affixed. As shown in the Ludwig examples, this construction appears in contexts ranging from scientific descriptions to news reports.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unable to be attached" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to indicate the impossibility of forming a connection or affixation. According to Ludwig, it commonly appears in scientific, news, and wiki contexts. While generally neutral to formal in register, it’s crucial to ensure clarity by specifying what is attempting to be attached and the reason for the inability. Alternative phrases such as "cannot be affixed" or "incapable of being connected" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. Avoiding this construction in cases where active voice would be clearer improves directness and readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be affixed

This alternative uses "affixed" which means attached or fastened, implying a physical inability to connect.

incapable of being connected

This phrase uses "incapable" to emphasize the lack of ability, focusing on the inherent impossibility of connection.

not able to be joined

This alternative uses "joined" which suggests a merging or linking of two entities, highlighting the impossibility of this union.

cannot be linked

This phrase focuses on the inability to establish a relationship or connection between items or concepts.

impossible to secure

This suggests that there's no way of fixing or fastening something

unattachable

This is a shorter, more direct adjective indicating that something cannot be attached.

resistant to being fastened

Emphasizes a resistance or opposition to being attached.

detached

This is a simple way of saying something isn't or wasn't attached.

not adhering

Suggests a failure to stick or remain connected.

disconnected

Highlights the separation or lack of connection between two things.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "unable to be attached" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using "incapable of being affixed", "not susceptible to attachment", or "precluded from attachment". These alternatives often suit academic or professional writing.

What does it mean when something is "unable to be attached"?

It means that a connection, either physical or metaphorical, cannot be made. This could be due to various reasons, such as incompatibility, technical limitations, or a lack of necessary conditions.

What are some common reasons why a file might be "unable to be attached" to an email?

Common reasons include the file size exceeding the email provider's limit, an incompatible file format, or a technical glitch preventing the attachment process. The problem might also be related to insufficient storage space on the device.

Is there a difference between "unable to attach" and "unable to be attached"?

"Unable to attach" typically implies an active inability to perform the action of attaching something, while "unable to be attached" focuses on the passive state of something being unattachable. The active form often implies a lack of capability or permission, whereas the passive form highlights the condition or inherent properties of the item.