were not able

USAGE SUMMARY

'were not able' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about an inability to do something in the past. For example: "We were not able to reach the summit before nightfall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were not able to reschedule.

The New York Times - Sports

We were not able to protect him".

The New York Times

"Anyway, we were not able to get anything done".

The New York Times

Residents themselves were not able to place feedback online.

The Guardian

You were not able to open most jars.

The New Yorker

But then the Islanders were not able to follow up.

The New York Times - Sports

The researchers were not able to specify an exact mechanism.

The New York Times

I am sorry we were not able to help".

The New Yorker

"They were not able to descend," he said.

The New York Times

"Tonight we were not able to do that".

The New York Times - Sports

And they were not able to exploit him.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were not able" to clearly and directly state an inability to perform an action in the past. Ensure the context clarifies why the inability existed.

Common error

Avoid using "were not able" when "could not" would suffice and sound more natural. "Could not" often implies a general inability or lack of permission, while "were not able" often suggests a specific instance where ability was lacking due to circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not able" functions as a verbal phrase expressing past inability. Ludwig examples show its use in describing situations where someone or something lacked the capacity or opportunity to perform a specific action. It directly negates the ability to complete an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were not able" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a past inability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's readily usable in various writing contexts. With numerous examples drawn from news, scientific articles, and more, its versatility is clear. While alternatives like "could not" and "unable to" exist, "were not able" offers a direct way to state a lack of capacity or opportunity in the past. Remember to consider the subtle nuances between it and similar phrases to enhance clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could not

This alternative is a more concise way of expressing the same inability.

unable to

This alternative is a more formal and concise way of expressing the same inability.

did not manage to

This alternative suggests an attempt was made, but it was unsuccessful.

failed to

This alternative emphasizes the lack of success in performing an action.

incapable of

This alternative describes a general lack of capability.

lacked the capacity to

This alternative emphasizes a deficiency in the ability to do something.

were unequipped to

This alternative indicates a lack of necessary resources or skills.

were not in a position to

This alternative suggests external circumstances prevented the action.

found it impossible to

This alternative emphasizes the extreme difficulty or impossibility of the action.

were prevented from

This alternative highlights an external force hindering the action.

FAQs

How can I use "were not able" in a sentence?

"Were not able" is used to indicate a past inability to do something. For example, "They were not able to attend the meeting due to unforeseen circumstances".

What's a more concise alternative to "were not able"?

Alternatives like "could not" or "unable to" can often replace "were not able" for a more direct statement.

Is there a difference between "were not able" and "could not"?

While similar, "could not" often refers to a general lack of ability or permission, whereas "were not able" tends to describe a specific situation where ability was lacking due to circumstances.

When should I use "were not able" instead of "didn't succeed in"?

"Were not able" focuses on the lack of capacity or opportunity, while "didn't succeed in" implies an attempt was made. Use "were not able" when emphasizing the lack of capability rather than the failure of an attempt.