---
title: "Unable vs. Failed vs. Cannot"
description: "Unable is about not being able to perform an action or achieve a result due to certain circumstances. Fail is about making an effort and getting an unsuccessful result. Cannot is about not having the general possibility to do something."
canonical: "https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/styleguide/tw/unable_failed_cannot.html"
breadcrumb: "Style Guide > Tips and Tricks > Unable vs. Failed vs. Cannot"
dateModified: "2026-09-03"
---

# Unable vs. Failed vs. Cannot

**Unable** is about not being able to perform an action or achieve a result due to certain circumstances. **Fail** is about making an effort and getting an unsuccessful result. **Cannot** is about not having the general possibility to do something.

### Examples

1. [Unable]{.mdhl-correct} to perform the operation because the current plan state is {stateName}. *[circumstances that prevent us from performing the action]*
2. [Unable]{.mdhl-correct} to use the precalculated location because the IVR property of the recovery location has been modified. `[circumstances that prevent us from performing the action]` 
3. [Failed]{.mdhl-correct} to find the target datastore {task.Spec.DatastoreName}. *[we tried but did not succeed]*
4. [Failed]{.mdhl-correct} to delete the account. *[we tried but did not succeed]*
5. You [cannot]{.mdhl-correct} select more than ${maxItems} items. *[no general possibility to perform the action]*
6. Сhild clients [cannot]{.mdhl-correct} create their own clients. *[no general possibility to perform the action]* 

## Related Topics

[Correct Modal Verbs](modal_verbs.md)