won't be able to

USAGE SUMMARY

"won't be able to" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to express that someone or something does not have the ability to do something in the future. Example: I won't be able to attend the party tomorrow because I have to work late. Another example: The dog won't be able to go for a walk today because it's raining heavily. "Won't be able to" can be used in any situation where the speaker wants to convey that something is not possible in the future due to some limitation or hindrance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I won't be able to hear".

The New York Times - Sports

"They won't be able to help.

The New Yorker

They won't be able to cope.

The Economist

Some won't be able to.

The Guardian

" 'You won't be able to do it.

The New Yorker

He won't be able to take it".

The New York Times

"I won't be able to do gigs.

The New York Times

"They won't be able to sustain themselves.

The New York Times

Then they won't be able to see.

The New Yorker

"Hopkins won't be able to touch me.

Independent

She won't be able to lift it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing future inability, ensure "won't be able to" is followed by a verb that accurately reflects the intended action. For example, "I won't be able to attend" is clearer than "I won't be able to" alone.

Common error

Avoid using "won't be able to" with stative verbs that describe states of being rather than actions. For example, instead of "I won't be able to know", use "I won't know".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "won't be able to" functions as a modal construction expressing future inability or lack of capacity. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates that someone or something will not possess the means or opportunity to perform a specific action in the future. The examples confirm this function across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "won't be able to" is a very common modal verb phrase used to express future inability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. Analysis of examples reveals it's predominantly found in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for diverse communication scenarios. When writing, remember to pair "won't be able to" with appropriate verbs to accurately convey the intended action and avoid its use with stative verbs. Consider alternatives like "will be unable to" for more formal settings or "cannot" for a less future-specific expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be unable to

Formal synonym, replacing the contraction "won't" with "will be unable to" for a more official tone.

aren't going to be able to

More colloquial alternative to "won't be able to", maintaining the future inability meaning.

cannot

A shorter, more direct way of expressing inability. Less specific to the future than "won't be able to".

will not have the capacity to

Emphasizes a lack of capacity or resources, rather than simply inability. More formal.

will be in no position to

Suggests that circumstances will prevent the action. Focuses on external factors.

will be prevented from

Highlights an external force or obstacle causing the inability. More passive.

lack the ability to

Focuses on a general lack of skill or power, applicable beyond a single future instance.

will not be equipped to

Suggests a lack of necessary resources or tools to accomplish the task.

will fail to

Emphasizes the negative outcome of not being able to do something, rather than just the inability itself.

will find it impossible to

Highlights the difficulty or impracticality of the task, leading to inability.

FAQs

How can I use "won't be able to" in a sentence?

Use "won't be able to" to express a future inability or lack of capability. For instance, "I "won't be able to attend" the meeting tomorrow" or "The system "won't be able to handle" that much data".

What is a more formal alternative to "won't be able to"?

A more formal alternative is "will be unable to". For example, instead of saying "The company won't be able to meet the deadline", you could say "The company will be unable to meet the deadline".

Can I use "cannot" instead of "won't be able to"?

Yes, "cannot" can sometimes be used as a substitute, but it is less specific to the future. "I cannot attend" expresses a current or general inability, while "I won't be able to attend" specifically refers to a future event.

What's the difference between "won't be able to" and "will not be equipped to"?

"Won't be able to" is a general expression of inability. "Will not be equipped to" suggests a lack of necessary resources or tools. The first expresses a broad inability, while the second highlights a specific deficiency in resources.