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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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unable to test

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"unable to test" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used as a clause or phrase in a sentence to indicate that something cannot be tested or evaluated. Example: Due to the unavailability of necessary equipment, the new prototype was unable to be tested for its efficiency.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It had no demonstration models available, so I was unable to test either.

Under Taiwan law, investigators were unable to test the claim by entering the plant, and the case collapsed.

News & Media

The New York Times

I was unable to test battery life but, as a rule, if you travel a lot, carry a spare.

Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we were unable to test the device from a 'zero-instruction' perspective, though it does seem that the device would be rather intuitive.

The team was unable to test its subjects' response under any kind of stress to simulate the kind of coercion that this test is designed to foil.

Classic trial design paradigms are challenged by heterogeneity, as they are unable to test targeted therapeutics against low frequency genomic 'oncogenic driver' aberrations with adequate power.

Barca's concentration wandered at the end of the half and former Marseille striker Mamadou Niang almost caught them out twice, but was unable to test Victor Valdes.

News & Media

Independent

We were unable to test the site prior to publishing this report.

News & Media

TechCrunch

There may also be frame rate restrictions, but I was unable to test for that.

News & Media

TechCrunch

The latter means that I've been unable to test Engie (yes, my car is old).

News & Media

TechCrunch

Until now, field researchers were unable to test which method was behind the infrasound.

Science & Research

Science Magazine
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unable to test", clearly state the reason for the inability to test, providing context and justification.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "unable to test" without explaining why. Providing the reason enhances clarity and credibility. For example, specify "unable to test due to lack of resources" instead of just "unable to test".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to test" functions as an adjectival phrase followed by an infinitive, describing a state of incapacity or lack of opportunity to perform a test. This aligns with Ludwig AI's validation of its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

49%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unable to test" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression for indicating the incapacity to perform a test, as affirmed by Ludwig. It's versatile, appearing across diverse fields like news, science, and academia, and is generally considered to have a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, clarity is key; always provide the reason for the inability to test to enhance the message's credibility. As Ludwig AI underlines, the phrase is common and accepted, making it a reliable choice for expressing this specific limitation.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "unable to test"?

You can use alternatives such as "impossible to test", "unfeasible to test", or "impractical to test" depending on the context.

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

Both "unable to test" and "cannot test" are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. "Unable to test" might sound slightly more formal.

How to use "unable to test" in a sentence?

You can use "unable to test" to explain why a test or evaluation could not be performed. For example, "The team was unable to test the new software due to technical difficulties."

What's the difference between "unable to test" and "did not test"?

"Unable to test" implies that there was an impediment preventing the test. "Did not test" simply states that the test was not conducted, without specifying whether it was due to an inability or a choice.

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Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: