unable to track

USAGE SUMMARY

"unable to track" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a situation where tracking or monitoring something is not possible. Example: "The system is currently unable to track the shipment." Alternative expressions include "incapable of tracking" and "not able to track."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The inquiry was unable to track it down.

The Guardian

(A good serve travels 85 miles per hour; I was often unable to track the ball).

The New York Times - Arts

When we do nothing, and nothing happens around us, we're unable to track time.

The New York Times

Police say the attackers fled the scene and they have been unable to track down or identify the perpetrators.

Independent

The fourth sling was believed to be about two years old and investigators were unable to track its provenance.

The New York Times

Patients' physiological changes, which the researchers were unable to track with their data, were also cited as possibilities.

The New York Times - Health

Homicide investigators who were called to the scenes of the crimes were largely unable to track down witnesses and collect evidence.

The New York Times

As a result, the outfielders were unable to track where he was looking to hit the ball and he ran them ragged with 12 fours and a six.

The Guardian - Sport

Police launched a manhunt as soon as the body was found, but so far they been unable to track down their prime suspect.

The Guardian

For years, the F.B.I. had been unable to track him, and many people speculated that officials did not really want to find Whitey, for fear of the revelations about F.B.I. complicity that might emerge if he ever stood trial.

The New Yorker

Canadian francophones are complaining that a new, shorter and non-mandatory census form will leave the government unable to track the size and distribution of the French-speaking minority, thus imperilling its rights.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unable to track" in technical writing, specify the reason for the inability, such as "unable to track due to insufficient data" to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "unable to track" when the subject is actively performing the tracking. Instead, use "did not track" or "failed to track" to accurately reflect the active role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to track" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying a noun. It indicates a state of incapacity or impossibility concerning the tracking of something. Ludwig AI supports this through various examples demonstrating its use in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

57%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unable to track" is a common phrase used to describe the incapacity to monitor or follow something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and scientific domains. While generally neutral in tone, specifying the reason for this inability is recommended in formal writing. Alternatives like "cannot follow" or "incapable of tracing" can be employed depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to trace

A more direct synonym, focusing on the inability to find a path or origin.

cannot follow

Indicates a general inability to keep up with or understand something.

cannot monitor

Emphasizes the inability to oversee or supervise something.

incapable of tracing

Highlights the lack of capacity to find the origin or path of something.

failed to locate

Focuses on the unsuccessful attempt to find something.

impossible to follow

Highlights the difficulty in observing or monitoring an object or process.

could not ascertain

Implies an inability to determine or establish something definitively.

lost track of

Suggests that something was once followed but is no longer.

cannot detect

Emphasizes the inability to perceive or notice something.

beyond tracking

Suggests that something is outside the scope of what can be monitored or followed.

FAQs

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

You can use "unable to track" to describe a situation where something cannot be monitored or followed. For example, "Police were unable to track the suspect" or "The system is unable to track changes in real-time".

What are some alternatives to "unable to track"?

Some alternatives include "cannot follow", "incapable of tracing", or "lost track of", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "unable to track" or "could not track"?

"Unable to track" and "could not track" are often interchangeable, but "unable to track" emphasizes a lack of ability, while "could not track" might suggest a failure to do so in a specific instance.

What does it mean when something is described as "unable to track"?

When something is described as "unable to track", it means there is a limitation or inability to monitor, follow, or trace its progress, location, or changes.