unable to establish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unable to establish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a failure to create, set up, or confirm something, such as a connection, relationship, or understanding. Example: "The system was unable to establish a connection to the server, resulting in an error message."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The experts were unable to establish the cause of death.

The New York Times

A meeting on Friday was unable to establish a truce.

The Guardian

Investigators have been unable to establish any links between the sniper victims.

The New York Times

They conceded the breakdown to both Ireland and France and were unable to establish forward dominance.

The Guardian - Sport

The UA was unable to establish a Boston Globe contact, Uzamere said.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For most of the game, the Seahawks were unable to establish the run.

The Washington Post

The inquest went ahead but was unable to establish the identity of the invaders.

The Guardian - Sport

However, we were unable to establish double mutant strains of ph505 and another gene mutant.

Nature

A post-mortem that afternoon was unable to establish a clear cause of death for Eva.

Independent

They had some flash plays but were ultimately unable to establish a great rhythm.

The New York Times

It was excavated decades ago, but researchers were unable to establish what it was used for.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unable to establish", ensure the context clearly indicates what could not be created, proven, or confirmed. For example, "The researchers were unable to establish a link between the two variables."

Common error

Avoid using "unable to establish to" as it is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is "unable to establish" followed directly by the object or concept that could not be established.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to establish" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a predicate to indicate a lack of success in creating, proving, or confirming something. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

39%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unable to establish" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that conveys a lack of success in creating, proving, or confirming something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports and scientific publications to general communication. While it's a versatile phrase, it's crucial to ensure clear context to avoid ambiguity and avoid errors such as incorrect preposition usage. Alternative phrases like "failed to set up" or "could not confirm" can be used to add nuance or variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to set up

Focuses on the failure in the initial attempt to create something.

could not confirm

Emphasizes the lack of ability to verify or validate information.

did not manage to create

Highlights a lack of success in the process of creation.

were unsuccessful in forming

Focuses on the lack of success in bringing something into existence, often a relationship or connection.

proved incapable of building

Stresses an inherent inability to construct or develop something.

lacked the ability to institute

Highlights a deficiency in the capacity to initiate or implement something.

were prevented from initiating

Indicates an external obstacle hindered starting or launching something.

did not succeed in proving

Emphasizes the failure to provide evidence or validation for something.

found it impossible to originate

Highlights a complete inability to start something new.

were defeated in their attempt to construct

Focuses on the failure to build or assemble something after an attempted effort.

FAQs

What does "unable to establish" mean?

The phrase "unable to establish" means that someone or something has been unsuccessful in creating, proving, or confirming something. It implies a failure to set up, build, or validate a connection, relationship, or fact.

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

You can use "unable to establish" in sentences like, "The investigators were unable to establish the cause of the fire" or "The company was unable to establish a stable market share".

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

You can use alternatives like "failed to set up", "could not confirm", or "did not manage to create" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "failed to establish" or "unable to establish"?

Both "failed to establish" and "unable to establish" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Failed to establish" implies a previous attempt, while "unable to establish" simply indicates a lack of ability. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.