Learn English – Correct use of ‘not be able to’

sentence-constructionword-order

In practice, it is very rare not be able to send this..

Could you please tell me if the order of the words in not be able to is correct?
Also, should I add to before not ?

Best Answer

There are two infinitives, be and send, in the ungrammatical sentence

  • *It is rare not be able to send this.

and both infinitives need a to to mark them. Send already has to, but be does not.
That's what makes it ungrammatical.

The to can be inserted either before or after not;
both of the following are correct:

  • It is rare to not be able to send this.
  • It is rare not to be able to send this.
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