unable to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unable to work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person who is not in a position to perform their job duties due to various reasons, such as illness or personal issues. Example: "Due to a severe illness, she is currently unable to work and will need to take a leave of absence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Many were unable to work.

The New York Times - Arts

Without it, he was unable to work.

The New York Times

She is unable to work.

The Guardian

He has been unable to work.

The Washington Post

And he was unable to work".

The New York Times

All ESA claimants are unable to work.

The Guardian

He just sat at his drafting table, unable to work.

The New York Times - Books

In other words, they had to be unable to work.

The New York Times

Unable to work, Ms. Mason relied on public assistance.

The New York Times

More investment is vital, particularly for those unable to work.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Being unable to work at young adult age is a heavy burden of disability.

European Journal of Epidemiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unable to work", specify the reason (illness, injury, etc.) for clarity, if relevant. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid implying permanence when using "unable to work" if the situation is temporary. Use qualifiers like "temporarily" or "currently" to indicate the expected duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to work" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun (often implied, such as 'he' or 'she'). It describes a state of being where someone is not capable of performing work. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unable to work" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the condition of being incapable of performing work, often due to illness, injury, or other limiting factors. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage across diverse contexts. It commonly appears in news, scientific, and formal business documents. Alternatives like "incapable of working" or "not fit to work" exist, offering similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis. When using the phrase, it's best practice to provide context regarding the reason for the inability, and to clarify the duration if it's temporary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incapable of working

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

not fit to work

Focuses on the lack of suitability for work, often due to health or other limitations.

unfit for employment

More formal phrasing, emphasizing a lack of qualifications or suitability for employment.

out of work due to disability

Specifies the reason for being out of work as a disability.

precluded from working

Emphasizes that something is preventing the person from working, very formal.

not in a condition to work

Focuses on current state/condition preventing someone to work.

restricted from employment

Highlights a formal or legal restriction on employment.

jobless due to health issues

More specific about the cause of joblessness.

out of action occupationally

Informal phrasing, suggests a temporary inability to work, potentially due to injury.

unable to perform job duties

Highlights inability to carry out specific duties.

FAQs

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

You can use "unable to work" to describe someone's current employment status. For example: "Due to his injury, he is "unable to work".".

What can I say instead of "unable to work"?

You can use alternatives like "incapable of working", "not fit to work", or "unfit for employment" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "unable to work" or "not able to work"?

Both "unable to work" and "not able to work" are grammatically correct and have the same meaning, although "unable to work" is slightly more concise.

What is the difference between "unable to work" and "unwilling to work"?

"Unable to work" implies a physical or mental incapacity, while "unwilling to work" suggests a lack of motivation or desire to work.