unavailable

USAGE SUMMARY

'unavailable' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when something or someone is not accessible, obtainable, or attainable. Example sentence: The new shoes were unavailable in my size.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We cannot hide that in this moment we have some problems with players unavailable to play.

The Guardian - Sport

The number of instances of "bed-blocking" was the same as the last week, with 4,000 hospital beds unavailable for incoming patients because of delays in transfers of occupants to care elsewhere.

The Guardian

But, if he is picked up in the auction this year, and with a reserve price of £160,000 the chances are high, Morgan could be unavailable for the first five matches of this year's County Championship as well as the first home Test of the summer against New Zealand.

The Guardian - Sport

Early on Friday, the US embassy in Sanaa shifted from its months of silence on Sharif, who has been unavailable to his lawyers since 27 February.

The Guardian

The launch was held in a fashionable London arts space, the Emerald City apparently being unavailable Still, Clegg was at great pains to point out that this was exactly what we had wanted.

The Guardian

If such an officer is unavailable, he said, other officers on the scene should know to call and wait for backup.

The Guardian

Cerci was unavailable due to suspension, but the presence of Immobile gave Torino hope.

The Guardian - Sport

Tune in to Radio 4 from olive oil-soaked Umbria and you are quite likely to hear cheery Alan Smith (a newsreader) say over and over again: "Due to rights restrictions this part of the programme is unavailable".

The Guardian

More than 150 VSLAs have been established in Katine and, based directly on the success of this approach, are being expanded to a further 11 nations globally, providing a source of capital, security and income that would otherwise be unavailable.

The Guardian

Brennan was unavailable for further comment on Sunday afternoon.

The Guardian

Dull though this ambition was, it had something to do with the fact that the holders began the final with four players unavailable through suspension, including Claudio Caniggia, the one forward with the speed to unsettle the German defence.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unavailable", ensure the context clearly indicates why the subject is not accessible. Specify if it's due to a temporary condition, a permanent state, or a specific restriction.

Common error

Avoid using "unavailable for" when "unavailable to" is more appropriate to indicate who or what cannot access something. For example, say "unavailable to the public" rather than "unavailable for the public".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unavailable" primarily functions to describe something or someone that is not accessible, obtainable, or attainable at a specific time or under specific circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable. The examples show it modifying nouns like 'players', 'beds', and 'officer'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unavailable" is a grammatically correct and very common adjective used to indicate that something is not accessible or obtainable. As Ludwig AI explains, its primary function is to describe a state of inaccessibility, often in news, business, and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying the reason for unavailability and choosing the correct preposition ("to" vs "for"). Consider alternatives like ""not accessible"" or "out of reach" to add nuance. Remember that the word is already clear enough in meaning and the user needs not add extra descriptions to it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not accessible

Focuses on the inability to reach or enter something.

not obtainable

Emphasizes the impossibility of getting or acquiring something.

out of reach

Suggests something is beyond one's grasp or capability.

inaccessible

Highlights the difficulty or impossibility of access.

not present

Indicates the absence of something or someone.

not in service

Specifically refers to something temporarily out of operation.

not ready

Suggests something is not prepared or in a suitable condition.

tied up

Implies that something or someone is busy or occupied.

booked up

Specifically for appointments or reservations, meaning fully reserved.

not to be had

Suggests something is completely impossible to obtain.

FAQs

How can I use "unavailable" in a sentence?

You can use "unavailable" to describe something that is not accessible or obtainable. For example: "The requested feature is currently unavailable", or "The doctor is unavailable for appointments this week".

What's a formal alternative to "unavailable"?

In a more formal context, you might use phrases like "not accessible" or "not obtainable".

Which is correct: "unavailable to" or "unavailable for"?

"Unavailable to" generally indicates who or what cannot access something. "Unavailable for" is less common but can specify a purpose. Context is key. It is advisable to review which preposition best fits your needs.

What can I say instead of "unavailable" when referring to a person's time?

When referring to a person's time, alternatives include "tied up", "booked up", or simply "busy".