is not able to do vs unable to do

Both "is not able to do" and "unable to do" are correct phrases that convey the same meaning. However, "unable to do" is more commonly used and considered more concise and direct.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 1457 views

This phrase is correct but less commonly used than "unable to do."

"is not able to do"

This phrase is used to express the inability of someone to do a particular action.

Show examples from the web [+]

I said, I tell you, the girl is not able to do this yet.
I hope they will be rejected because they are really the epitome of what Parliament is not able to do.
Science is not able to do that, because it does not want to.
Surely Ricky Martin is not able to do martial arts and Van Damme is not capable to show and to sing.
The Commission replies to a large number of the questions inside the six week period set down in Parliament's internal rules, but is not able to do so in all cases.
However, the Union, which is quite capable of breaking down barriers when it comes to the movement of goods and capital, is not able to do so when it comes to protecting the fundamental right of women to be in charge of their own bodies.
If the international community is not able to do everything possible to see that the Roadmap is applied, we will be faced with the same failure that we faced when the Mitchell Plan was presented, or when the Tenet Plan was presented.
Similarly, it should draw attention to the importance of safeguarding biodiversity and of providing guarantees and ensuring consumer safety, for science is not yet able to do this with certainty.
That's the only thing that frightens us is to not be able to do that anymore.
It would appear that, from the point of view of farming, the Commission has a particular responsibility to pay special attention to these factors, yet you, yourself, confirm that the Commission is not yet able to do that.
And when you are halfway up a mountain in driving rain, you try to read these new-fangled monitors and the answer is you will not be able to do it.
She is not able to dial 911 from her phone.
Al-Hariri is not able to leave his residence.
Toot is not able to say guilty.
Recent global challenges showed that the EU is not able to act rapidly.
My positronic brain is not able to generate those conditions.
Consequently the company in question is not able to bid.
So I was just expressing anxiety and concern that he is not able to be here in the chair.
The budget is not able to include any more than an outline framework.
When Raoh is not able to beat Souther.

Alternatives:

unable to do
cannot do
incapable of doing
lacks the ability to do

This phrase is commonly used and considered more concise and direct.

"unable to do"

This phrase is used to express the inability of someone to do a particular action.

Show examples from the web [+]

Usually with an autopsy, which we're unable to do in this case.
If this creature has imprisoned him, then he will be unable to do his magic.
Conscious enough to know what was happening to him but unable to do anything to stop it.
You want me to trust you but you're unable to do the same.
When they proved unable to do so, I let Hayley have her fun.
We will be unable to do so.
Our Court of Auditors is currently unable to do this.
Commander Adama, I will exercise the authority of this office... until I am unable to do so.
As I sit here right now, I'm unable to do that.
And if we notice that Member States are unable to do this, then we should help them where we can.
Until a few days before the crash of these companies, they were unable to do anything about protecting the public.
It would be particularly difficult to adopt rules mandating financial security when the economic operators most knowledgeable and economically interested in developing such products have been unable to do so.
We will be unable to do this, Prime Minister Vanhanen, without launching the 7th Framework Programme on time.
We cannot expect individual citizens to recognise these connections and make decisions based on values if our legislators or governments are unable to do so.
I, who was unable to do anything, can only give you this, Chairman. which is my everything.
The Court of Auditors has said that they are unable to do this, but that the Directors-General should do this.
If they are unable to do so, they are asked to apply the least favourable rating to offer themselves the greatest protection.
In the mean time, the Hungarian authorities have been unable to do anything except continually draw the firms' attention to their right to make a complaint.
They have been unable to do so.
Something I was unable to do as an heir.

Alternatives:

is not able to do
cannot do
incapable of doing
lacks the ability to do

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is not able to do vs unable to do

"is not able to do"

"unable to do"

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