will not be able

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will not be able" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to express an inability to do something in the future. For example: - Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the meeting tomorrow due to a prior commitment. - With his busy schedule, he will not be able to finish the project by the deadline. - Despite his efforts, he will not be able to win the race without proper training. - She will not be able to come to the party next week because she will be out of town.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Maybe you will not be able".

The Guardian

We will not be able to drink; we will not be able to rent a car.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hotel owners will not be able to pay their loans.

The New York Times

Cardiff will not be able to overturn Acts of Parliament.

The Economist

"You will not be able to stop it," they wrote.

The New York Times

"A soft man will not be able to govern.

The New York Times

The Tories will not be able to plead ignorance.

The Economist

"They will not be able to do anything".

The New York Times

"You will not be able to get free of me".

The New Yorker

But New Yorkers will not be able to choose.

The New York Times

Passengers will not be able to fly standby.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing future inability, ensure the context clearly defines the reason for the inability. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your statement.

Common error

While "will not be able" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in highly formal writing. Opt for more concise or sophisticated alternatives like "will be incapable of" or simply "cannot" when appropriate to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will not be able" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a future inability or lack of capacity. It is used to express that someone or something will not have the capability or opportunity to perform a specific action in the future. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "will not be able" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express future inability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across a wide range of contexts. While it's suitable for most situations, remember to consider the formality of your writing and explore alternatives like "cannot" or "be incapable of" when a more sophisticated tone is required. The prevalence of this phrase in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be unable to

A more formal alternative, replacing "be able" with "unable".

won't be capable of

Uses "capable" to emphasize lack of inherent ability.

will be incapable of

Similar to "won't be capable of", but slightly more formal.

will not manage to

Emphasizes a lack of success in achieving something.

will lack the ability to

Emphasizes the missing skill or competence.

will fail to

Focuses on the failure to achieve a specific action.

will be in no position to

Indicates a lack of suitable circumstances or resources.

will be prevented from

Highlights external factors hindering the action.

will be impossible to

Highlights the impossibility of an action.

cannot

A shorter, more direct way of expressing inability.

FAQs

How can I use "will not be able" in a sentence?

Use "will not be able" to express a future inability to perform an action. For example, "I "will not be able to attend" the meeting tomorrow."

What are some alternatives to "will not be able"?

Alternatives include "cannot", "will be unable to", or "will fail to", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "will not be able to" different from "cannot"?

"Will not be able to" expresses a future inability, while "cannot" expresses a general or present inability. "I "cannot" swim" implies a current inability, whereas "I "will not be able to" swim tomorrow" suggests a future circumstance preventing swimming.

Which is more formal, "will not be able to" or "cannot"?

"Cannot" is generally considered more direct and neutral. "Will not be able to" can sometimes be perceived as slightly more formal or polite, especially when explaining why something is impossible.