unavailable for work

USAGE SUMMARY

"unavailable for work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone is unable to work because of some reason, such as illness, a vacation, or other commitments. For example: "The employee will be unavailable for work for the next two weeks due to a medical emergency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

For an irreversible process, ;. is the energy that becomes unavailable for work during an irreversible process.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If you are watching this in the office, then inform your boss you will be unavailable for work for the next half hour or so.

The Guardian - Film

Half of the applicants tested positive for drugs, Mr. Goike said, making them "unavailable for work," which is a condition for receiving unemployment compensation.

The New York Times

This procedure may be applied to determinations made with respect to any subsequent weeks for the same reason and on the basis of the same facts: (a) that claimant is unable to work, unavailable for work, or is disqualified under the labor dispute provision; and (b) reducing claimant's weekly benefit amount because of income other than earnings or offset by reason of overpayment.

Cornell University

3 Inactivity is defined as not working and not searching for work and/or unavailable for work.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

"Hundreds" of drivers are expected to switch off their apps from 1pm, making themselves unavailable for work, union organisers said.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The company's executives reviewed the script, shuddered at the message of whale emancipation, and declared all of its orcas unavailable for movie work.

The New Yorker

"Curiously, it had a big negative impact also because a lot of agencies thought the entire studio was wrapped up doing feature films and was unavailable for commercial work.

The Guardian - Business

Entropy, the measure of a system's thermal energy per unit temperature that is unavailable for doing useful work.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All spontaneous processes are irreversible; hence, it has been said that the entropy of the universe is increasing: that is, more and more energy becomes unavailable for conversion into work.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When jobs are unavailable for someone looking for work, as he put it, "you're seriously in the soup.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When stating that someone is "unavailable for work", clearly specify the reason (e.g., illness, vacation, family commitments) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "unavailable for work" when the person is simply unwilling to work; this phrase implies an inability due to circumstances beyond their control, not a lack of motivation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unavailable for work" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a person or entity, indicating their current inability to perform work-related duties. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unavailable for work" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a state where someone is unable to perform work due to various reasons. Ludwig AI confirms it's correct and usable. While not overly frequent, appearing with "Uncommon" frequency, it's found across diverse contexts like news, academia, and general informational content. When employing this phrase, it's essential to specify the reason for unavailability to maintain clarity and avoid potential misinterpretations. Alternatives like "unable to work" or "on leave" can be used depending on the specific context. Understanding the nuances and proper usage of "unavailable for work" enhances effective communication in professional and everyday scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to work

A more general term indicating an inability to perform work, regardless of the reason.

not available for employment

Specifically refers to being in a state where one cannot accept a job offer.

prevented from working

Emphasizes an external factor or situation that is causing the inability to work.

not fit for work

Implies a physical or mental condition that prevents someone from working.

incapacitated for work

Highlights a state of being physically or mentally unable to perform job duties.

out of work

Focuses on the state of being unemployed or not currently working.

temporarily unemployed

Indicates a short-term state of unemployment, implying a return to work in the future.

off work

Similar to 'on leave', suggesting a temporary absence from work.

on leave

Indicates a temporary absence from work, usually for a specific reason like vacation or illness.

not working

A simple and direct way of saying someone is not currently employed or working.

FAQs

How do I properly use "unavailable for work" in a sentence?

Use "unavailable for work" to indicate that someone is unable to work due to a specific reason, such as "The employee is "unavailable for work" because of a medical appointment" or "Due to a family emergency, she will be "unavailable for work" for the next few days".

What are some alternative ways to say "unavailable for work"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "unable to work", "out of work", or "on leave".

Is it appropriate to use "unavailable for work" in a formal setting?

Yes, "unavailable for work" is suitable for formal communication. However, ensure you provide a clear explanation for the unavailability, especially in professional contexts.

What's the difference between "unavailable for work" and "not looking for work"?

"Unavailable for work" means someone cannot work even if a job were offered, while "not looking for work" means someone is not actively seeking employment, but might be able to work if they were offered a suitable position.