has little ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has little ability" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you would like to express someone's lack of ability in doing something. For example, "The baby has little ability to talk yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

She has little ability to elaborate.

The New Yorker

It has little ability to deal with shortages and unemployment.

The Guardian

Libya's new government appears willing to cooperate but has little ability.

The New York Times

The drug agency has little ability to uncover drug or device dangers on its own.

The New York Times - Health

He has long said that he has little ability to handle finances, large organizations or his increasingly public life.

The New York Times

He said the effort had forced the thieves to move to neighboring Benin, whose government has little ability to police its coast.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

And the central government has until now had little ability to interfere.

The New York Times

He had little ability to force a response — negative or positive — from a human being.

The New Yorker

At the same time, the three forces have little ability to work together effectively.

The New York Times

He had little ability to force a response negative or positive from a human being.

The New Yorker

But barring a public uprising, they have little ability to force the issue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and tone when choosing this phrase. While widely accepted, more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or professional writing.

Common error

Avoid using "has little ability" when complete inability is meant. Opt for phrases like "is unable to" or "lacks the capacity" for situations requiring a stronger emphasis on incapability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has little ability" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a lack or deficiency in someone's capability to perform a specific action or task. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing its use in various contexts to express limited competence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has little ability" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a limited capacity or skill. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across various contexts, particularly in news and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clarifies the specific skill being limited to avoid ambiguity. While "has little ability" is generally neutral, more formal synonyms may be preferred in certain settings. Be mindful not to overstate the limitation; if complete inability is meant, consider stronger alternatives like "is unable to" or "lacks the capacity".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unable to

States a direct inability, often due to external constraints or limitations.

is not capable of

Directly states the inability to perform a specific action or task.

is not skilled at

Specifically addresses a lack of proficiency in a certain area.

lacks the capacity

Emphasizes a general absence of the inherent capability to do something.

has a limited capacity for

Focuses on the constraint in how much can be handled or achieved.

is hardly able to

Suggests that while not entirely impossible, performing the action is difficult.

is ill-equipped to

Indicates a lack of necessary resources or skills to succeed.

is deficient in

Highlights a specific area where skill or competence is lacking.

has restricted skill in

Emphasizes that skill is present but not at a sufficient level.

struggles with the ability to

Focuses on the difficulty someone experiences when trying to perform the action.

FAQs

How can I use "has little ability" in a sentence?

Use "has little ability" to describe a lack of skill or capacity in a specific area. For instance, "The new software "has little ability" to handle complex calculations."

What are some alternatives to saying "has little ability"?

You can use alternatives such as "is not capable of", "lacks the capacity", or "is ill-equipped to" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "has little ability" or "has no ability"?

"Has little ability" suggests some limited capacity, while "has no ability" indicates a complete lack of skill. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of limitation you want to convey.

What is the difference between "has little ability" and "has limited ability"?

While similar, "has limited ability" implies that some level of skill exists but is restricted, whereas "has little ability" suggests a more significant deficiency in skill.