unable to supply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unable to supply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone or something cannot provide a requested item or service. Example: "We regret to inform you that we are currently unable to supply the requested materials due to a shortage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Netflix was unable to supply streaming movies.

The New York Times

Nine departments and agencies were unable to supply those figures.

The Guardian

The Turks eventually left, unable to supply their troops.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But they're zombie banks, unable to supply the credit the economy needs.

The New York Times

One is imports, which have met the demand that domestic producers have been unable to supply.

The New York Times

The NT force simply said it was "unable to supply the information in the timeframe provided".

The Guardian

Public affairs officials stood around unable to supply facts that might quell rumors.

The New York Times

Therefore, we will be unable to supply you with any medical information about your brain following a research study.

Harvard University

The Department of Correctional Services was unable to supply me with even the rudimentary comfort of a wheelchair.

The Guardian

Deprived of sunlight, Philae's solar panels were unable to supply power, and the craft was feared lost.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Justice Department and the American Correctional Association were unable to supply numbers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unable to supply", clearly state the reason for the inability to provide the item or service. This adds transparency and context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "unable to supply" excessively in the passive voice. Instead of saying "The product was unable to be supplied", opt for a more direct construction like "We were unable to supply the product".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to supply" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied noun or pronoun, indicating a lack of capacity or capability to provide something. Ludwig AI's examples showcase its use in various contexts, highlighting its flexibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

28%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unable to supply" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the inability to provide something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It finds frequent use in news, scientific, and academic contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, clarity is key: stating the reason for the inability adds transparency. Alternatives like "cannot provide" or "incapable of providing" offer similar meanings, catering to different stylistic preferences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incapable of providing

Replaces "unable" with "incapable" and "supply" with "providing", maintaining the core meaning of a lack of ability.

not able to furnish

Substitutes "unable" with "not able" and "supply" with "furnish", focusing on the act of providing or offering something.

cannot provide

Uses "cannot" as a contraction of "can not" and replaces "supply" with "provide", offering a more concise alternative.

deficient in providing

Emphasizes a lack or shortage in the ability to provide.

lacking the capacity to offer

Highlights the absence of the necessary capacity to offer something.

without the means to deliver

Focuses on the absence of resources or methods to deliver something.

inadequate to furnish

Indicates that the available resources or abilities are not sufficient to furnish something.

not equipped to offer

Highlights the absence of necessary tools or equipment to provide something.

in a position where they cannot fulfill

Describes a situation where fulfilling a requirement is impossible.

falling short in delivering

Indicates a failure or inadequacy in providing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "unable to supply" to indicate a lack of capacity or resources to provide something. For example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are "unable to supply" the requested materials at this time.".

What are some alternatives to "unable to supply"?

Alternatives include "cannot provide", "incapable of providing", or "not able to furnish", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "unable to supply" or "cannot supply"?

"Unable to supply" and "cannot supply" are both grammatically correct and have very similar meanings. "Cannot supply" is more concise, while "unable to supply" might sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "unable to supply" and "unwilling to supply"?

"Unable to supply" means lacking the capacity or resources, while "unwilling to supply" implies a refusal to provide something, even if the capacity exists.