unless it is able

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unless it is able" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a condition that must be met for something to happen or be true. Example: "The project will not proceed unless it is able to secure the necessary funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But unless due caution and much needed debate is afforded to the evident discrepancies between the Bank's rhetoric and its practice, and unless it is able to better cooperate with its partners at country-level, the Platform and all that it intends to achieve risks resulting in another development intervention failure.

Globalization and Health

Eastman Kodak may not survive unless it is able to cash in on its portfolio of patents or find some other way to raise cash, like issuing more debt, the company stated on Thursday.

The New York Times

Page B1 GRIM REPORT FROM KODAK Eastman Kodak may not survive unless it is able to cash in on its portfolio of patents or find some other way to raise cash, like issuing more debt, the company said.

The New York Times

Yet unless it is able to team up with other left-leaning parties, the Left Party will remain of limited importance.

The Economist

The Conservatives risk being reduced to a rump party in rural and suburban southern England unless it is able to reach out to liberal-minded younger voters, a close ally of David Cameron warned today.

Independent

Unless it is able to lock up proprietary deals now, not only will companies like Microsoft and Apple be likely to become much bigger threats but set-top makers and studios will probably start devising their own compression technology.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Delta warned on May 10 that a Chapter 11 filing was possible unless it was able to reduce its costs significantly and win concessions from its pilots' union.

The New York Times

Last month, Delta warned that it could seek bankruptcy protection unless it was able to lower its costs and win wage and benefit cuts from its pilots' union.

The New York Times

This would not normally be interpreted by the system unless it is able to analyse dialogue as in, for example, the chatbot-based negotiated learner model (Kerly and Bull 2008).

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

In a more realistic simulation, in which the vertical mixing was more directly tied to the heating and cooling rates, this change in vertical distribution of cloud mass would likely remain more localized; at least unless and until it were able to produce sufficient change in temperature to drive an episode of convective overturning.

Earth, Planets and Space

It is a tall order, but the UN cannot stop the war unless it is also able to win the peace.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs than "is able" to add impact. For example, "unless it can dominate" or "unless it can revolutionize" provide a more dynamic and assertive tone.

Common error

Avoid using "unless it is able" when the condition is already implied or obvious. Overuse can make your writing verbose and less impactful. Be sure that adding emphasis with this clause is needed, or else the tone of your text can be compromised.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unless it is able" functions as a conditional conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that specifies a necessary condition. As shown in the Ludwig examples, this construction sets a prerequisite for a particular outcome or situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unless it is able" serves as a crucial conditional conjunction, highlighting the necessity of a specific capability for a desired outcome. As validated by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and commonly used across various domains, including News & Media and Science. While versatile, ensuring clarity is paramount by explicitly stating the consequences if the condition isn't met. Alternatives like "if it cannot" or "if it lacks the capacity to" offer similar conditional expressions. The phrase's neutral tone makes it appropriate for diverse writing contexts, emphasizing the importance of precise conditionality in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if it cannot

Expresses a condition where something is not possible; emphasizes the lack of capability.

if it is incapable of

Emphasizes a fundamental inability to perform a task.

should it fail to

Highlights potential failure or inability to achieve something.

if it does not have the ability to

Directly states the absence of a specific ability.

if it's not competent to

Expresses condition if the subject doesn't have the level of skill needed.

if it lacks the capacity to

Focuses on the absence of necessary resources or skill.

except when it can

Introduces an exception where capability exists.

unless capability exists

Focuses on the existence of capacity as a condition.

without the aptitude for

Highlights a lack of inherent skill or talent.

absent the potential to

Emphasizes the absence of future possibility or potential.

FAQs

How can I use "unless it is able" in a sentence?

Use "unless it is able" to introduce a condition that must be met for a certain outcome to occur. For example, "The company will not succeed "unless it is able" to adapt to the changing market conditions".

What are some alternatives to "unless it is able"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "if it cannot", "if it lacks the capacity to", or "without the aptitude for" to express a similar conditional requirement.

Is there a more formal way to say "unless it is able"?

In more formal writing, consider using phrases like "should it fail to" or "if it is incapable of" to convey a similar meaning with a more elevated tone.

What's the difference between "unless it is able" and "if it is able"?

"Unless it is able" sets a condition that, if not met, will prevent a certain outcome. "If it is able", on the other hand, sets a condition that, if met, will lead to a specific result. The former implies a necessary condition, while the latter implies a sufficient one.