事ができなかった

could not

→ 事
phrase Rare #28,056
could not Used after a dictionary-form verb as ~ことができなかった to mean “could not” or “was unable to do something.” 事 is often written as こと in this construction.
JA: 時間がなくて、宿題を終わらせる事ができなかった。
EN: I couldn't finish my homework because I didn't have enough time.

彼は興奮を抑える事ができなかった

He couldn't contain his excitement.

彼は自分の考えを学生達理解させる事ができなかった

He couldn't get the students to understand his ideas.

彼は怒りを抑える事ができなかった

He couldn't control his anger.

彼に会う事ができなかった

I couldn't meet him.

実業家忙しい生活をしていたため週末を家族と過ごす事ができなかった

Because he was busy with his business, the entrepreneur couldn’t spend weekends with his family.