unable to find

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unable to find" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing difficulty or failure in locating something or someone. Example: "I am currently unable to find the document you requested, could you please resend it?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have been unable to find it.

The New Yorker

They are unable to find it.

The New Yorker

Doug is unable to find his ball.

The New York Times

Contains three stories, unable to find divisions.

University of California, Berkeley

They were unable to find out.

The New York Times

He has been unable to find work.

The Guardian

He was unable to find other lenders.

The New York Times

Unable to find a new job.

The New York Times

Worse, he'd been unable to find his dog.

The New York Times - Magazine

However, they were unable to find his son.

The New York Times

Finally, last September, unable to find a buyer, it closed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, replace "unable to find" with a more specific verb to enhance clarity. Instead of "unable to find a solution", try "failed to develop a solution".

Common error

Avoid using "unable to find" in informal contexts where it may sound stilted. Simpler alternatives like "couldn't find" or "didn't find" often suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to find" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive verb, expressing an inability to locate or discover something. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unable to find" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express the inability to locate something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to professional register, making it suitable for news, scientific, and business contexts. For more informal settings, simpler alternatives like "couldn't find" may be preferable. Remember to consider the specific context and desired tone when choosing between "unable to find" and its alternatives to ensure clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

couldn't locate

Uses a different verb to express the inability to find, focusing on the act of locating.

unable to locate

A more concise and direct synonym focusing on the act of pinpointing.

failed to discover

Emphasizes the failure to uncover or learn about something.

was unsuccessful in finding

More formal phrasing that highlights the lack of success in the search.

did not manage to find

Highlights the lack of successful effort in locating something.

was incapable of finding

Emphasizes the lack of ability to locate something.

could not turn up

An idiomatic alternative suggesting the item did not appear despite searching.

missed discovering

Focuses on the lost opportunity to find or uncover something.

had no luck finding

An informal way of expressing a lack of success in locating something.

did not find

Simplest alternative, removing the emphasis on the inability.

FAQs

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

You can use "unable to find" to indicate a failure or difficulty in locating something. For example, "The researchers were unable to find a correlation between the two variables."

What are some alternatives to "unable to find"?

Alternatives include "couldn't locate", "failed to discover", or "did not manage to find", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "unable to find" formal or informal?

"Unable to find" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, "couldn't find" or "didn't find" are often more appropriate.

What's the difference between "unable to find" and "difficult to find"?

"Unable to find" indicates a complete failure to locate something, while "difficult to find" suggests that something exists but is hard to locate. The phrase "difficult to find" indicates a high level of complexity.