illiteracy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "illiteracy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the inability to read and write, often in discussions about education or social issues. Example: "The high rate of illiteracy in the region is a significant barrier to economic development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The "hollowing out" of the library service is catastrophic at a time when illiteracy costs the country £81bn a year and one child in three does not own a single book.

The Guardian - Books

Mental health carries a huge social stigma across Africa and information booklets designed to help people with depression or mental health problems simply weren't working, especially in remote communities with high illiteracy rates.

The Guardian

Poor maternal health, sexually transmitted infections, infant mortality, violence, abuse, illiteracy, isolation, psychological trauma and suicide are common among young brides.

The Guardian

This health illiteracy, in terms of a wider system understanding, extends to NHS staff at all levels – improving it will require commitment.

The Guardian

Party members have complained about the printing of surplus ballot papers, irregularities in the voters' roll, traditional leaders "frogmarching" villagers to the polls, people feigning illiteracy to be "assisted", voters being bussed to faraway constituencies, and the malign influence of the military.

The Guardian

The women said they resisted instructions from Zanu-PF supporters to feign illiteracy, blindness or physical injury, which would have meant someone else marking the ballot on their behalf.

The Guardian

A recent report from UNDP found that the main barriers experienced by women, people with disabilities and minorities are: widespread poverty, discrimination, public prejudice, low education, and illiteracy.

The Guardian

This is all the more important at a time when four million children in the UK don't own a book, and when as many as one in six adults have trouble reading; illiteracy is thought to cost our economy up to £81bn a year.

The Guardian - Books

This is Cambodia, but it could be anywhere in the developing world, because Suan and her family are trapped in an all too ubiquitous cycle: they are ensnared in a vicious circle in which poverty obstructs education, creating illiteracy and a lack of skills which, in turn, perpetuate poverty and so on ceaselessly until some external factor disrupts this pattern.

The Guardian

Maria Jose is determined to avoid the continuing 'lack of education leading to poverty' cycle and escape the widespread illiteracy that affects 40% of the total Honduran population and more than 80% in rural areas, according to the Ministry of Education.

The Guardian

British levels of "functional illiteracy" are around double those in Germany, according to another recent report.On the bright side, according to the OECD, Britain is now sending more young people to university than ever before.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of "illiteracy", provide specific examples or statistics to illustrate the scope and consequences of the issue.

Common error

Be careful not to use "illiteracy" when you mean a lack of knowledge in a specific field. For example, use "financial illiteracy" for a lack of financial knowledge, rather than simply "illiteracy".

Linguistic Context

The term "illiteracy" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the state of being unable to read or write. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing societal problems and individual limitations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "illiteracy" is a commonly used noun that describes the inability to read and write. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in news, business, and scientific contexts. When using "illiteracy", it's important to provide context and specific examples to illustrate its impact. Avoid confusing it with a lack of knowledge in specific fields, and consider using alternative phrases like "lack of literacy" or "inability to read" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. As highlighted by Ludwig, this term is vital for discussing social and economic challenges related to education.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of literacy

A more formal synonym for "illiteracy".

absence of literacy

Formal way of describing a state where people cannot read or write.

inability to read

Directly states the lack of reading capability.

lack of reading skills

Focuses specifically on the absence of reading proficiency.

poor literacy skills

Highlights the inadequacy of reading and writing abilities.

reading deficiency

Emphasizes the deficit in reading ability.

low literacy rate

Refers to the percentage of a population that is unable to read and write.

functional illiteracy

Refers to the inability to use reading, writing and calculation skills for one's own and the community's development.

lack of education

Broader term encompassing the absence of formal schooling, often leading to illiteracy.

lack of basic skills

A general term that includes the absence of fundamental literacy skills.

FAQs

How is "illiteracy" commonly used in a sentence?

The term "illiteracy" is often used to describe the inability to read or write, as in, "The high rate of "illiteracy" poses a significant challenge to economic development."

What are some alternatives to the word "illiteracy"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "lack of literacy", "inability to read", or "reading deficiency".

Is it correct to use "illiteracy" to describe a lack of knowledge in a specific area?

While "illiteracy" primarily refers to the inability to read and write, it can be adapted to describe a lack of knowledge in a particular area by adding a modifier, such as "financial illiteracy" or "health illiteracy".

What are the main causes and consequences of "illiteracy"?

Illiteracy" often results from lack of access to education, poverty, and social inequality. It can lead to limited employment opportunities, reduced social mobility, and increased vulnerability to exploitation.