to help them, t I'm afraid I won't be able to come to the meeting after all. I The doctor told Tina she wouldn't be able to have children.
Not be able to is used mostly in past or future tenses. In the present tense, use can't or cannot instead. For example,
don't say 'I am not able to drive'. Say I can't drive
be unable to do sth /bi: лпе(Ь*1 гэ du:
(sth)/ written to not be able to do something, especially something important that you want to do or need to do: He lay
CAN/CAN'T 100
makes it possible for someone to do something: As senior students, we were able to attend some university classes. I You might be able to get a temporary passport.
Have the power to do sth /hacv оэ
,раозг ta 'du: (sth)/ to be able to do something because your official position gives you the power to do it: The judge has the power to order a witness to give evidence. I Each state had the power to make its own laws
awake all night, unable to sleep. I Many passengers were unable to reach the lifeboats in time.
be incapable oJFdoinq sth/not be
capable of doing Sth hi: m.keipah?!
ov duni] (sth). not bi: ,keipoh?l э\ 'du:ii] (sth)/ to not have the physical strength or mental ability to do something: Matthew seemed to be incapable of getting a job. I
She's no longer capable of looking after herself.
not be in a position to do sth not
bi: in о po.zipn to 'du: (sth) formal to not be able to do something, because you do not have enough money, knowledge, or authority: I'm afraid I'm not in a position to answer your questions. I We are not in a position to publish the results of the survey yet.
it is not possible for sb to do sth
/it iz not ,posi>b«>l tV (sb) to du: (sth)J|-,pa:-/ formal use this to explain to someone that the situation prevents you from doing what they want you to do: I'm afraid it won't be possible for the Director to see you this morning. I Unfortunately, it uasn 't possible for my daughter to come with me.
inability to do sth /то.ЫЦп to du:
(sth)/ when someone is not able to do something, especially something that you think they should be able to do: Her actions show an inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality. sb's inability to do sth their inability to understand even the simplest instructions
U to not be allowed to do something or not have the
power to do it
can't/cannot 'kaint. кжпои -nnt||karnt,
'ksenun, [moda/ uerb] "I want to see that film." "You can't, you're not old enough.'' I The President cannot change a law that has been approved by Congress.
can't do sth I'm sorry, you can 't come in. I You can't get married until you're 22
Cannot is more formal than can't, and is used especially in written English; Members of the public cannot enter the building without official permission. Cannot is always written as one word.
not be able to do sth not hi: eibc?! to
du: (sth) use this when a law or rule does not allow someone to do something: If you don't have a library card, you won't be able to borrow any books.
powerless paoonos/' [adj not before
noun] not able to control or stop something, because you do not have the power or legal right to do it
powerless to do sth Although ше all thought the decision was unfair we were powerless to change it.
CAREFUL
opposite CARELESS
D when you try to avoid
danger or accidents
care/ul keort>l/ [ad;] someone who is
careful tries to avoid danger, risks, or accidents: Vou shou/d a/ways be very careful when handling chemicals. I You'll be OK wirh Jane - she's a very careful driver
OX care/ul!/be care/ul! spokkn (=say this
when you are warning someone that they must be careful) That vase is very delicate. Be careful! + with HeyI Careful with that cigarette! care/ul to do sth You musf be careful not to trip over the wire. + (that) We had to be careful that we didn't fall off the raft. care/ul how/what/who etc Be very careful how you handle those glasses! care/ully [adu] Goodbye, Sarah - drive carefully!
cautious /to:Jos, [adj] someone who is
cautious does not like taking risks arid is always very careful to avoid them: If we're too cautious, we might lose a good business opportunity. I My dad always goes really slowly - he's a very cautious driver. + about I've always been cautious about giving people my phone number. cautiously [adv\ Slowly and cautiously, we made our way along the edge of the
cliff
Qwatch outJ/look out! wntj aot.
101
CAREFUL
Jok 'aoifwa:!/-, ,wo;t/-/ spoken say this to warn someone that they are going to have
an accident and they must do something quickly tc avoid it: Watch out - you're going to spill paint over my new carpet! I Look out, Phil - there's a car coming!
with care/with caution лмд keor. wifi
кгфп if you do something with care or with caution, you are very careful to avoid accidents when you do it: These antiques are fragile and must be handled with care. I Some roads may be icy and motorists are advised to drive with caution.
J /-X With care and with caution are often ; used in instructions on bottles, packages etc that contain things that are dangerous or easy to break: Toxic materials - handle
with caution.
^ .„. „
be о a your guard hi:nnjxr gu-.rd to
carefully watch and notice everything that is happening around you. in order to avoid problems or danger: You need to be on your guard at the airport; there are a lot of pickpockets around.
take no chances tc k noo tju:ns,ui
-tj'iiMi- to organize something in a very careful way. because you want to avoid any possible risks: This time we're taking no chances. Everything will be planned down to the last detail.
Ea when you try not to make mistakes or do
things badly
care/ul кео'Ы [ad;] someone who is careful tries not to make mistakes, and tries to do everything correctly: She's a careful hard-working student. + with Try to be more careful with your punctuation.
careful to do sth They were careful not to touch anything until the police arrived.
carefully [adu] Check your essay carefully for spelling mistakes.