unable to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unable to do" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone or something is incapable of performing a certain task or action. For example: "He was unable to do the math problem correctly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Sadly, it is unable to do so.

The Economist

Some were unable to do so.

The Guardian

Alas, it proved unable to do so.

The Economist

"Ohnesorg was unable to do that.

The New York Times - Arts

It was unable to do either.

The New York Times

Sadly, I am unable to do this.

The Guardian - Sport

We were unable to do that today.

The Guardian

Why were they unable to do so?

The New York Times

You are just unable to do it".

The New York Times

(Europe's emerging markets have proved unable to do the same).

The Economist

He is now unable to do even that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unable to do", ensure the context clearly defines what action someone is incapable of performing. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "unable to do" in overly broad or vague contexts. Instead of saying "They were unable to do anything", specify what actions they couldn't perform to provide more meaningful information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to do" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, indicating a lack of capacity or capability. It modifies a subject by describing its inability to perform a specific action. Ludwig examples show its utility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unable to do" is a versatile phrase used to express the incapacity to perform a specific action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While alternatives like "incapable of doing" or "not able to do" exist, "unable to do" maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to specify the context of the inability for clarity. Ludwig examples prove that this phrase is very common, with a large number of high quality instances from authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incapable of doing

Replaces "unable" with "incapable", emphasizing a lack of inherent ability.

not able to do

A more straightforward and less formal way of expressing the same idea.

cannot do

A contraction that's shorter and more direct.

powerless to do

Indicates a lack of power or authority to perform the action.

helpless to do

Emphasizes a feeling of being unable to assist or change a situation.

in no position to do

Suggests the circumstances prevent the action.

unfit to do

Suggests a lack of suitability or qualification.

prevented from doing

Highlights an external force hindering the action.

lacking the capacity to do

A more formal and elaborate way to express a lack of ability.

inadequate to do

Highlights that someone/something is not enough to perform a certain action.

FAQs

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

You can use "unable to do" to indicate a lack of ability or capacity to perform an action. For example, "Due to the storm, we were "unable to travel"."

What phrases are similar to "unable to do"?

Alternatives include "incapable of doing", "not able to do", or "cannot do". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "unable to do" or "not able to do"?

Both "unable to do" and "not able to do" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Unable to do" might sound slightly more formal, but in most contexts, they are interchangeable.

When should I use "unable to do" versus "unwilling to do"?

"Unable to do" implies a lack of capacity or ability, while "unwilling to do" suggests a refusal or lack of desire. For example, someone is "unable to do" a task because they lack the skills, but are "unwilling to do" it because they don't want to.