a lack of capability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lack of capability" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's or something's inability to perform a task or function effectively. Example: "The project's failure was primarily due to a lack of capability in the team to meet the technical requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

There could also be an increasing distrust of the government and banks, coupled with a lack of capability to do anything about it.

The Guardian - Money

With a lack of capability, immigrants will fail to convert their motivation for integration into actual achievements, even if they strongly aspire to do so.

Comparative Migration Studies

In terms of constitutive models, most work is limited to time-independent plasticity, with a lack of capability to predict crack growth path and rate.

Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Modern Processes

A lack of capability third-generation capability had also looked like an initial problem for the iPhone's acceptance in Europe, since all operators there have launched 3G phones, whose broadband capabilities make them useful for music and video downloads.

Forbes

Others have pointed to a lack of capability to obtain a measure of reliability for a single item.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Taken together, we observed a lack of capability to degrade ketone bodies in the glioma cell lines.

BMC Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The path towards a more democratized learner success model for MOOCs has been hampered by a lack of capabilities to provide a personalized experienced to the varied demographics MOOCs aim to serve.

University of California, Berkeley

The limiting factor has not been a lack of desire but a lack of capabilities.

Forbes

"Being poor isn't about not having money, it's a lack of capabilities," JP says.

TechCrunch

Other incidents were attributed to "system error", such as a lack of capabilities or glitches and bugs.

BBC

Nevertheless, μFCM still suffers from a lack of capabilities for dynamic analysis of single living cells [ 53, 57].

BMC Biotechnology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lack of capability", be specific about the area where the capability is lacking. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a lack of capability" without specifying what the capability refers to. For example, instead of saying "The project failed due to a lack of capability", specify "The project failed due to a lack of project management capability".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lack of capability" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the absence of a specific skill, ability, or capacity necessary for a task or outcome. As Ludwig AI explains, this usage is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lack of capability" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the absence of a particular skill or ability. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for use in various contexts, particularly in science, news, and academia, but specifying the capability that's lacking enhances clarity. While not exceedingly common, the phrase is consistently used and understood. Consider alternatives like "insufficient capacity" or "inadequate skill set" to add variety to your writing. Remember that overgeneralization is a common pitfall; always clarify what specific capability is missing. Finally, remember that the register is generally neutral to formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient capacity

Replaces "capability" with "capacity", focusing on the available resources or space.

inadequate skill set

Substitutes "capability" with "skill set", emphasizing a deficiency in specific skills.

limited proficiency

Uses "proficiency" instead of "capability", highlighting a restricted level of skill or expertise.

deficient competence

Replaces "capability" with "competence", pointing to a lack of necessary skills or knowledge.

restricted aptitude

Emphasizes a limited natural ability or talent.

lack of resources

Shifts the focus from ability to the availability of resources needed to achieve something.

shortage of expertise

Highlights the absence of specialized knowledge or skill in a particular area.

absence of talent

Focuses on the lack of innate ability or skill.

inability to perform

Highlights the incapacity to execute a particular task or function.

limited potential

Focuses on the restricted capacity for future development or achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "a lack of capability" in a sentence?

You can use "a lack of capability" to describe the absence of a specific skill or ability needed for a task. For example, "The team's progress was hindered by a lack of technical capability".

What's a more formal way to say "a lack of capability"?

More formal alternatives include "insufficient competence", "deficient proficiency", or "inadequate skill set". For instance, you might say, "The audit revealed "deficient proficiency" in financial reporting".

What can I say instead of "a lack of capability" to emphasize a shortage of resources?

To emphasize a shortage of resources, you could use phrases like "lack of resources" or "inadequate funding". These alternatives shift the focus from skills to available resources.

Is it better to use "a lack of capability" or "a lack of capabilities"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "a lack of capabilities" often implies a more general absence of multiple skills or resources. "A lack of capability" is suitable when referring to a single, specific ability that's missing.