Both translate as “am unable to”. What’s the difference?
やらなくてはいけないことが出来ない。
I am unable to do the things I have to do.
約束を守ることが出来なくてすみません。
I am sorry that I am unable to keep my promise.
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やらなくてはいけないことが出来ない。
出来ない - an ordinary negative form of できる, means “unable to”
約束を守ることが出来なくてすみません。
出来なくて - て form of negative form of できる(できない), meaning “unable to, and”.
The words we have are:
約束を守る - “keep a promise”; ことができなくて - “unable to, and”; すみません - “sorry”.
Here is a small nuance of なくて - it is often used to state a reason or cause, in this case, you can treat it as a set expression: なくてすみません(I am sorry for not…).
Knowing that we can translate it:
約束を守ることが出来なくてすみません。 (because)I was unable to keep a promise, I am sorry.
Here are used grammar points:
https://bunpro.jp/grammar_points/110 ことができる
https://bunpro.jp/grammar_points/106 てすみません
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Many thanks. I’ve just woke up, but I’ll study this today.
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Right, makes sense, thanks for clear and thorough explanation!
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