LanguageTool Community

<< return to list of rules

Rule "not able (unable)"

This is one of many errors that LanguageTool can detect. Visit the LanguageTool homepage to use it online or download it for free.

Description: not able (unable)
By default, this rule is not active in LanguageTool because its category is not active by default
Message: Avoid using "not". Did you mean unable?
Category: Plain English (ID: PLAIN_ENGLISH)
Incorrect sentences
that this rule can detect:
  • He was not able to join the meeting.
    Correction suggestion: unable
Correct sentences
for comparison:
  • He was unable to join the meeting.
Pattern: Show XML · Show in Rule Editor
Check the following text against just this rule:

ID: NOT_ABLE [1]
Version: 6.6-SNAPSHOT (2024-10-12 22:33:07 +0200)