Grammar Lesson: Using "Unable To"
Welcome to another essential grammar lesson! In English, we often need to express that someone lacks the skill, power, or opportunity to do something. We usually do this by changing "cannot", "could not", or "not able to" into "unable to". This makes the sentence sound slightly more formal and precise.
The Basic Rules
- If the sentence has "cannot" or "can not", replace it with "is/am/are unable to".
- If the sentence has "could not", replace it with "was/were unable to".
- If the sentence has "not able to", simply drop the "not" and replace it with "unable to".
- Keep the base form of the verb exactly the same after "unable to".
Note: Remember to match the helping verb (is, am, are, was, were) with the subject. For example, use "am" with "I", "is" with singular subjects (He, She, It), and "are" with plural subjects (We, They, You).
25 Examples for Practice
1. Original: He cannot lift the heavy box.
Solution: He is unable to lift the heavy box.
2. Original: She could not attend the morning meeting.
Solution: She was unable to attend the morning meeting.
3. Original: I cannot solve this difficult math problem.
Solution: I am unable to solve this difficult math problem.
4. Original: They were not able to finish the science project.
Solution: They were unable to finish the science project.
5. Original: The bird cannot fly with a broken wing.
Solution: The bird is unable to fly with a broken wing.
6. Original: We could not reach the railway station on time.
Solution: We were unable to reach the railway station on time.
7. Original: He is not able to speak French fluently.
Solution: He is unable to speak French fluently.
8. Original: She cannot pay the school fees this month.
Solution: She is unable to pay the school fees this month.
9. Original: The child could not open the heavy wooden door.
Solution: The child was unable to open the heavy wooden door.
10. Original: I cannot hear you over the loud noise.
Solution: I am unable to hear you over the loud noise.
11. Original: They cannot find their way home in the dark.
Solution: They are unable to find their way home in the dark.
12. Original: He could not run fast because of his leg injury.
Solution: He was unable to run fast because of his leg injury.
13. Original: The doctor could not save the injured patient.
Solution: The doctor was unable to save the injured patient.
14. Original: We are not able to attend the wedding ceremony.
Solution: We are unable to attend the wedding ceremony.
15. Original: She cannot read the small print without her glasses.
Solution: She is unable to read the small print without her glasses.
16. Original: He could not understand the complex instructions.
Solution: He was unable to understand the complex instructions.
17. Original: The team cannot win the match after losing so many points.
Solution: The team is unable to win the match after losing so many points.
18. Original: I could not sleep peacefully last night.
Solution: I was unable to sleep peacefully last night.
19. Original: She is not able to walk properly without a walking stick.
Solution: She is unable to walk properly without a walking stick.
20. Original: They cannot access the internet in that remote village.
Solution: They are unable to access the internet in that remote village.
21. Original: The car could not start in the freezing cold weather.
Solution: The car was unable to start in the freezing cold weather.
22. Original: I cannot believe the magic trick I just saw.
Solution: I am unable to believe the magic trick I just saw.
23. Original: He could not remember my name after all these years.
Solution: He was unable to remember my name after all these years.
24. Original: We cannot accept your generous offer right now.
Solution: We are unable to accept your generous offer right now.
25. Original: She could not stop laughing at the joke.
Solution: She was unable to stop laughing at the joke.