unable to comment

USAGE SUMMARY

"unable to comment" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to convey that someone is not able to provide a comment or opinion on a particular topic. Example: "After several attempts, the spokesperson for the company remained unable to comment on the recent scandal that has been plaguing their reputation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(The F.B.I. was unable to comment).

The New Yorker

Briffa was unable to comment.

The Guardian

Barclays was unable to comment.

The Guardian

(A State Department spokesman was unable to comment).

The New Yorker

Twitter said: "We are unable to comment".

The Guardian - Tech

Soca is unable to comment further on that detail.

Independent

Q: Why am I unable to comment on this article?

The Guardian

We are unable to comment further at this stage".

The Guardian - Business

We are unable to comment further due to ongoing investigations".

The Guardian - Business

Walden said that she was unable to comment.

The Guardian - Sport

Natural England was unable to comment on ongoing license applications.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unable to comment" when a formal statement is needed to indicate that no information can be provided due to ongoing investigations, legal reasons, or confidentiality agreements.

Common error

Avoid using "unable to comment" when the actual reason is a deliberate choice not to provide information. "Declined to comment" or "refused to comment" are more appropriate if the person is choosing to remain silent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to comment" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied subject (e.g., 'he is'). It's used to express a lack of capacity or permission to provide information or an opinion. As shown in Ludwig, this often arises from legal or procedural limitations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unable to comment" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to formally decline providing information, typically due to legal reasons, ongoing investigations, or confidentiality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and frequently used in news, business, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "declined to comment" or "no comment" exist, "unable to comment" specifically implies a lack of capacity or permission, rather than a deliberate choice. Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The Guardian and BBC underscores its reliability and widespread usage. Therefore, using "unable to comment" is appropriate when conveying a formal and justified inability to provide an opinion or information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declined to comment

This phrase indicates a choice not to provide a statement, contrasting with a lack of ability.

not in a position to comment

This suggests a situational constraint preventing commentary, unlike a general inability.

cannot provide comment

A more formal way of expressing the inability to offer insight.

no comment

A brief, direct refusal to comment, lacking the explanation of inability.

refused to give details

Focuses on withholding specific information, rather than a general inability to comment.

unavailable for comment

Indicates that the person is not accessible to provide comment, differing from an active inability.

chose not to disclose

Highlights the choice to keep information private, shifting from inability to deliberate action.

unable to disclose information

Emphasizes the inability to reveal specific information, rather than commenting generally.

restricted from commenting

Suggests an external restriction preventing comment, as opposed to an internal inability.

cannot elaborate further

Indicates a limit on the amount of detail that can be provided, not necessarily a complete inability to comment.

FAQs

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

You can use "unable to comment" when someone is restricted from providing information due to confidentiality, legal reasons, or ongoing investigations. For example, "The company spokesperson was unable to comment on the ongoing litigation."

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

You can use alternatives like "declined to comment", "not in a position to comment", or "no comment" depending on the context.

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

"Unable to comment" suggests a lack of capacity or permission, while "unwilling to comment" implies a deliberate choice to remain silent. The correct phrase depends on the actual reason for not providing information.

What's the difference between "unable to comment" and "refused to comment"?

"Unable to comment" indicates that someone lacks the ability or authorization to speak, often due to external constraints. "Refused to comment", on the other hand, signifies a deliberate decision to remain silent, highlighting a choice rather than a constraint.