are beyond our ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'are beyond our ability' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is too difficult for someone to do or too complex for them to understand. Example: The advanced mathematics problems in this class are beyond our ability.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"They're making strategic global decisions that are beyond our ability to impact".

The New York Times

OBAMA: Don't let anybody tell you that the challenges we face right now are beyond our ability to solve.

The Washington Post

For much of Obama's time in office, his foreign policy has seemed to be built on the assumption that there are messes in the world that are beyond our ability to clean up.

The New Yorker

It created a dynamic and a process that are beyond our ability to control, but we can hope that the ideals of tolerance, justice and openness guide us, taking us steadily away from this dangerous dance of hate and revenge in which we are engaged.

The New York Times

Abandoning that coastline would have economic costs that are beyond our ability to pay.

Huffington Post

We must embrace the tough challenges and refuse to believe that real solutions are beyond our ability to find.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

What the sun will do next is beyond our ability to predict.

The Washington Post

There was no spending on promotion or advertising; that was beyond our ability.

The New York Times

We began to wonder whether the powerful Portuguese waves were beyond our ability.

The Guardian - Travel

But I do not think it is beyond our ability and virtue to refrain from substituting character assassination for spirited and respectful debate.

The Washington Post

With poems, Zapruder says, "we get to a truth that is beyond our ability to articulate when we are attempting to 'use' language to convey our ideas or stories".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are beyond our ability", ensure the context clearly defines whose ability is being referred to. Providing specific examples of what is unachievable can add clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "are beyond our ability" when the situation calls for effort or further exploration. This phrase should be reserved for situations where limitations are genuinely insurmountable, not simply inconvenient or difficult.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are beyond our ability" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject as being outside the scope of someone's capabilities. This phrase commonly indicates a limitation in skill, resources, or understanding, as validated by Ludwig and its example usages.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are beyond our ability" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to denote limitations in skills, resources, or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, especially in news, science, and academic writing. While alternatives like "exceed our capabilities" or "are out of our league" offer nuanced expressions, the core message of insurmountable limitation remains consistent. Remember to avoid overstating limitations and ensure clarity in defining whose ability is being discussed. The analysis reveals that, while not extremely frequent, this phrase serves an essential communicative purpose in expressing constraints.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceed our capabilities

Emphasizes the limit of what we are equipped to do; more formal.

surpass our abilities

Similar to 'exceed', but suggests reaching a level higher than our current skills; more formal.

lie outside our competence

Highlights a lack of necessary skills or knowledge.

are unattainable for us

Highlights the impossibility of achieving something.

transcend our capacity

Emphasizes that something goes above our inherent limits.

are more than we can handle

Focuses on the difficulty and potential overwhelming nature of something.

are not within our grasp

Implies something is not achievable or obtainable by us.

are out of our league

Informal way of saying something is too advanced or difficult for us.

are something we can't manage

Suggests an inability to control or deal with something effectively; more informal.

are beyond our ken

Indicates something is outside our understanding or knowledge; more formal and somewhat archaic.

FAQs

How can I use "are beyond our ability" in a sentence?

You can use "are beyond our ability" to describe challenges or tasks that exceed someone's skills or resources. For example: "Solving world hunger and achieving interstellar travel "are beyond our ability" with current technology."

What are some alternatives to "are beyond our ability"?

Alternatives include phrases like "exceed our capabilities", "are unattainable for us", or "are out of our league", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "are beyond our ability"?

Use "are beyond our ability" when describing situations where the required skills, resources, or understanding are demonstrably insufficient to achieve a particular goal. For instance, "Predicting the stock market's daily fluctuations with perfect accuracy "are beyond our ability"."

What is the difference between "are beyond our ability" and "are beyond our reach"?

"Are beyond our ability" typically refers to a lack of skill or competence, while "are beyond our reach" often indicates a lack of access or resources. While similar, the former emphasizes capability, and the latter emphasizes attainability.