unable to disentangle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unable to disentangle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone cannot separate or clarify different elements or issues. Example: "After hours of discussion, I found myself unable to disentangle the various arguments presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Without legal aid in family cases, some victims have been forced to endure cross-examination from their attackers in court and been unable to disentangle their financial affairs from former partners.

The Guardian

Nathaniel has an art degree, and he still thinks of himself as an artist — one of the store's front windows features a shifting selection of his work — but he has always known that he would be unable to disentangle his personal destiny from that of the family business.

The New Yorker

It was difficult to know whom to blame: Rose for her adolescent intransigence, or Ruskin for his stubborn egotism; as a man who lived with and through art, he seemed unable to disentangle Rose from his aesthetic theories, even as she haunted his dreams.

The Guardian - Arts

Presumably because the spectacle of the head of the Department of Health and Human Services herself seemingly being unable to disentangle the many threads of Obamacare eligibility requirements speaks to the head-spinning complexity that the law's opponents argue is its fatal weakness.

The Economist

There is growing awareness that development-oriented government policies may be an important counterinsurgency strategy, but existing papers are usually unable to disentangle various mechanisms.

Journal of Development Economics

The other sees the investigator as unable to disentangle his conflicting loyalties and as inevitably prioritizing the goals of research over the goals of patient care.

Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

These complexities need to borne in mind when interpreting our analyses, although the cross-sectional data we have collected are unable, alone, to disentangle the direction of causality between hazardous drinking and socio-economic characteristics.

Addiction

Therefore, we are unable to conclusively disentangle the temporal relationship between food intake and biomarkers.

Diabetes Care

We are therefore unable to completely disentangle the influences of pollutants and socioeconomic conditions on cognition.

Environmental Health Perspectives

If the effects of the hepatitis B vaccination policy reversals lingered as PCV entered routine use in our health plan populations (i.e., 10 months after reinstatement of the birth vaccination recommendations), our study would be unable to fully disentangle the relative contributions of these two policies.

BMC Pediatrics

Russia claims al-Nusra has been a growing terrorist force, and the US has been unable to persuade the rebels that it backs to disentangle itself from al-Nusra.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unable to disentangle", ensure the context clearly specifies what elements are difficult to separate. For example, specify whether you are referring to ideas, data, or physical objects.

Common error

Avoid embedding "unable to disentangle" within excessively long or convoluted sentences. Simpler phrasing can enhance clarity and readability. Consider breaking down complex ideas into smaller, more manageable segments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to disentangle" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a verb, primarily used to describe a lack of ability or capacity to separate or distinguish between different elements or factors. Ludwig provides examples showing its common use in describing research limitations and complex relationships.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unable to disentangle" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the difficulty or impossibility of separating or distinguishing between different elements or factors. As highlighted by Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts including science, news, and formal business settings. While synonyms like "incapable of differentiating" or "cannot distinguish" exist, it's crucial to maintain clarity in sentence structure to avoid ambiguity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for both general and specialized audiences, making it a versatile addition to one's vocabulary. Overall, understanding its nuanced usage can greatly enhance precision in both writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot untangle

A direct synonym, emphasizing the complexity and interwoven nature of the elements.

incapable of differentiating

Focuses on the lack of ability to see the difference between things.

cannot distinguish

Highlights the inability to perceive distinct characteristics.

unable to differentiate

Similar to "cannot distinguish", but uses "unable" for a slightly different nuance.

cannot separate

Emphasizes the inability to physically or conceptually divide.

incapable of discerning

Focuses on the lack of ability to perceive or recognize something clearly.

unable to isolate

Focuses on the inability to identify or set apart a single element.

unable to sort out

Highlights the difficulty in organizing or clarifying.

unable to segregate

Emphasizes the inability to divide or set apart into different groups.

cannot resolve

Focuses on the inability to find a solution or clear up confusion.

FAQs

What does "unable to disentangle" mean?

The phrase "unable to disentangle" means being incapable of separating or clearly distinguishing between different elements, ideas, or factors. It suggests a state of confusion or interwoven complexity that makes it difficult to analyze or understand individual components.

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

You can use "unable to disentangle" to describe situations where it's hard to distinguish different aspects of something. For example: "Researchers were "unable to disentangle" the effects of the new policy from pre-existing trends."

What are some alternatives to "unable to disentangle"?

Alternatives include "incapable of differentiating", "cannot distinguish", or "unable to differentiate". These options convey a similar meaning of being unable to separate or clearly identify distinct elements.

Which is correct, "unable to disentangle" or "unable to untangle"?

Both "unable to disentangle" and "unable to untangle" are correct and have similar meanings. "Untangle" is often used in more literal contexts, while "disentangle" can apply to more abstract concepts, but they are largely interchangeable.