was not obtainable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not obtainable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something could not be acquired or accessed. Example: "The information we needed for the report was not obtainable due to confidentiality restrictions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

(g) Where any of the information listed in paragraphs (d) and (f) of this section cannot be obtained, the agency or person documents in the adoption record the efforts made to obtain the information and why it was not obtainable.

Cornell University

When the amounts of modified Si3N4 or Al2O3 increased, the interphase was strengthened and crack deflection and propagation within interphase could not occur, the interfacial toughness was not obtainable for the corresponding samples, but it could be obtained by extrapolation based on the values obtained in each kind of interphase systems.

Journal of the European Ceramic Society

One way of doing this would have been to be a great sportsman but I concluded that this was not obtainable".

The Guardian

Hence, sponsoring of sufficiently large clinical trials was not obtainable.  .

Clinical Phytoscience

Hence, sponsoring of sufficiently large clinical trials was not obtainable.

Clinical Phytoscience

In the majority of patients though, a reason for discontinuation was not obtainable.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Many MPs and peers defended the intelligence agencies, with Lord Carlile, the former overseer of UK counter-terrorism, saying there was absolutely no evidence that "GCHQ has deliberately circumvented UK law to obtain information that is not obtainable under UK law".

The Guardian

Logic therefore is descriptive but not creative: by the use of logic, one will never obtain mathematical truths that are not obtainable by a direct mathematical construction (Brouwer 1949C, 1243).

SEP

Thus, even if PUFA-benefit data can be obtained free of MeHg confounding, unconfounded MeHg risk data are not obtainable.

Environmental Health Perspectives

In the examples presented, the information obtained from the charts led to interpretations of the data that were not obtainable form summary measures of agreement.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

It is not obtainable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was not obtainable", ensure the reason for unobtainability is clear from the context. For example, specify whether it was due to technical difficulties, legal restrictions, or other limitations.

Common error

Do not use "was not obtainable" without clarifying what efforts were made to obtain the item or information. Lack of context can lead to confusion or misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not obtainable" functions as a descriptive statement indicating the impossibility of acquiring something. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was not obtainable" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something could not be acquired or accessed. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples of its use in formal contexts, particularly in scientific and academic writing. While alternatives like ""was inaccessible"" or ""could not be acquired"" exist, "was not obtainable" is a clear and effective way to convey the impossibility of obtaining something, with its frequency classified as Common. For best use, provide a clear explanation of why something "was not obtainable" to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could not be acquired

Focuses on the act of acquiring something, implying a failure to obtain it through effort or means.

was inaccessible

Highlights the lack of access to something, suggesting a barrier preventing obtainment.

could not be accessed

Similar to "was inaccessible", emphasizing the inability to gain entry or access.

was unavailable

Indicates that something was not available for use or obtainment at a specific time or place.

could not be found

Emphasizes the failure to locate something, implying it exists but could not be discovered.

was unprocurable

A more formal and less common way of saying "was not obtainable", suggesting difficulty or impossibility in procuring something.

was beyond reach

Suggests that something was unattainable, either literally or figuratively.

was out of reach

Similar to "was beyond reach", implying something was unattainable or inaccessible.

proved unattainable

Highlights the result of an attempt to obtain something that ultimately failed.

remained elusive

Suggests that something was difficult to catch, find, or achieve.

FAQs

How can I use "was not obtainable" in a sentence?

You can use "was not obtainable" to indicate that something could not be acquired or accessed. For example: "The necessary data "was not obtainable" due to privacy concerns."

What are some alternatives to "was not obtainable"?

Alternatives include "was inaccessible", "could not be acquired", or "was unavailable", depending on the context.

Is "was not obtainable" formal or informal?

"Was not obtainable" is generally suitable for formal and neutral contexts. For informal settings, simpler phrases like "couldn't get" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "was not obtainable" and "was not accessible"?

"Was not obtainable" implies that the item or information could not be acquired through any means. "Was not accessible", by contrast, suggests that it exists but could not be reached or accessed due to some barrier.