unable to be reached

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unable to be reached" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone or something cannot be contacted or accessed. Example: "I tried calling her several times, but she was unable to be reached."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Simbolei was unable to be reached for comment.

The Guardian - Sport

Bowen was unable to be reached to comment late Tuesday.

The Washington Post

DeFries was unable to be reached for comment late Wednesday.

The Washington Post

Witt was unable to be reached for comment.

The New York Times - Sports

I couldn't disagree with them.' Mendy was unable to be reached for a response yesterday.

The Guardian - Sport

However, the separation of office and instructional space initially was a problem for simulation center staff that often was unable to be reached by telephone during much of the day.

Clinical Simulation Operations, Engineering, and Management

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Smith, Fultz, Adebayo and Stone were unable to immediately be reached to comment Friday.

The Washington Post

SigNumerous to get the best of VICE Cattorneysivered saidighthey your inbox.

Vice

HuffPost was unable to reach Hevesi, who was released from prison four years ago at age 72.

Huffington Post

She was unable to reach port, and was abandoned the following morning.

Wikipedia

She was unable to reach a phone and was severely dehydrated by the time she was found.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on someone's unavailability for comment, use "unable to be reached" to maintain a neutral and professional tone.

Common error

While "unable to be reached" is acceptable, excessively using passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing sentences to emphasize active subjects where appropriate. For example, instead of "The senator was unable to be reached by reporters", try "Reporters could not reach the senator".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to be reached" functions as an adjectival phrase describing a state of being uncontactable or inaccessible. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It often modifies nouns representing individuals or locations, indicating their lack of availability for communication or access.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unable to be reached" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to express that someone or something could not be contacted or accessed. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While alternatives like "not reachable" and "out of contact" exist, "unable to be reached" maintains a professional and neutral tone suitable for news reporting, academic writing, and general communication. Although passive, this phrase is appropriate when emphasizing the lack of contact rather than the actor attempting to make contact. Remember to balance passive constructions with active voice for clearer and more engaging writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not reachable

A more concise way of saying someone cannot be contacted.

could not be contacted

Passive voice construction emphasizing the attempt to contact.

out of contact

Indicates a state of being disconnected or uncommunicative.

uncontactable

A single word indicating the inability to make contact.

inaccessible

Suggests a difficulty in accessing someone or something, either physically or virtually.

unavailable for comment

Specifically used when someone is not available to provide a statement.

failed to connect

Describes a failure in establishing communication.

impossible to get hold of

An informal way of saying someone cannot be reached.

beyond reach

Suggests being out of physical or communicative range.

lost to contact

Emphasizes a permanent or prolonged state of being uncontactable.

FAQs

How can I use "unable to be reached" in a sentence?

You can use "unable to be reached" to indicate that someone or something cannot be contacted. For example, "The suspect was "unable to be reached" for comment" or "The remote village was "unable to be reached" due to the storm".

What can I say instead of "unable to be reached"?

You can use alternatives like "not reachable", "out of contact", or "inaccessible" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "could not reach" or "unable to be reached"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "could not reach" is more direct and active, while "unable to be reached" is more passive. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and tone. In many cases, "could not reach" is preferable for its conciseness.

What is the difference between "unavailable" and "unable to be reached"?

"Unavailable" generally means not accessible or obtainable, whereas "unable to be reached" specifically refers to the inability to make contact with someone or something. "Unavailable" might imply a broader lack of access, while "unable to be reached" suggests an attempt was made to establish contact.