unable to remove the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unable to remove the" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where something cannot be taken away or eliminated. Example: "After several attempts, we found ourselves unable to remove the stain from the carpet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Israeli doctors were unable to remove the bullet.

The New York Times

Unfortunately we are technically unable to remove the listing on eventbrite.

Stanford University

Unable to remove the demonstrators, the government is apparently trying to diminish their profile.

The Guardian

At 45, Bill Gates may be unable to remove the silicon handcuffs of his past success.

MIT Technology Review

They charge you twelve dollars and tell you that they were unable to remove the stains.

The New Yorker

Using the fabricated core shell particles, the conventional CMP process is unable to remove the SiC surface without anodization.

International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Note that this count-rate filter has been unable to remove all the flare periods.

Harvard University

I hadn't yet worked out a formal agreement with the family and was, therefore, unable to remove any of the papers from the archives.

Huffington Post

The bone-chewing coyotes stripped off all of the baked muscle and removed the bony ends of the shank, but the nonbone-chewing group was unable to remove any of the bony ends.

Science Magazine

For example, Nintendo wanted the developers to remove graffiti in a room that provided players with hints on how to activate a story event; unable to remove it without also removing the hints, the designers shortened the message.

Wikipedia

The lawsuit says the police knocked the boy to the ground and his mother was unable to remove him from the melee as she was overcome by the pepper spray.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unable to remove the", ensure the context clearly specifies what is causing the inability, enhancing the clarity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "unable to remove the" without specifying the object or obstacle. Be specific about what cannot be removed to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to remove the" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun by indicating a lack of ability to take something away. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unable to remove the" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to express the lack of ability to eliminate or take something away. As verified by Ludwig, it's versatile, appearing across diverse contexts from News & Media to Science, with a neutral register making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, specificity is key; always clarify what exactly cannot be removed to avoid ambiguity. Consider related phrases like "incapable of removing the" or "not able to remove the" for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incapable of removing the

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

not able to remove the

A more direct and simpler way to express the same inability.

cannot remove the

Uses "cannot" as a contraction of "can not", indicating impossibility.

failed to remove the

Highlights the unsuccessful attempt to remove something.

was unsuccessful in removing the

A more formal way of saying that an attempt to remove something did not succeed.

could not eliminate the

Uses "eliminate" instead of "remove", suggesting a complete removal.

lacked the capacity to remove the

Emphasizes a deficiency in the power or ability to remove.

found it impossible to remove the

Highlights the perceived impossibility of the removal.

were powerless to remove the

Emphasizes a lack of power or control over the situation, rendering them unable to remove something.

had no means to remove the

Focuses on the absence of resources or methods necessary for removal.

FAQs

How can I use "unable to remove the" in a sentence?

You can use "unable to remove the" to describe situations where there is an incapacity to take something away. For example: "Doctors were unable to remove the bullet."

What are some alternatives to "unable to remove the"?

Alternatives include "incapable of removing the", "not able to remove the", or "cannot remove the", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "unable to remove the" or "incapable of removing the"?

Both "unable to remove the" and "incapable of removing the" are grammatically correct. "Unable" is generally more common and slightly less formal, while "incapable" emphasizes a more fundamental lack of ability.

What does "unable to remove the" imply in a technical context?

In a technical or scientific context, "unable to remove the" often implies a limitation of technology or methodology, suggesting that current methods do not allow for the removal of a specific substance or component.