inability to

USAGE SUMMARY

"inability to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are explaining a situation in which someone is not able to do something, such as "The student's inability to complete the assignment on time resulted in a failing grade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

My mom's inability to communicate.

The New York Times

The inability to have a good time.

The New York Times

Her inability to stand up frightened him.

The New Yorker

Hébuterne displayed "a curious inability to act".

The New Yorker

Insomnia, the inability to sleep adequately.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Its inability to multitask.

The Guardian - Music

My inability to cook.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Inability to dismiss thoughts?

The Guardian

Inability to feed pets.

The Guardian

My inability to finish things.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

No consent/inability to obtain consent   13.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inability to", ensure the verb following "to" is in its base form. For example, "inability to run", not "inability to running".

Common error

While "inability to" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing it in informal contexts. Simpler phrases like "can't" or "unable to" might be more appropriate for casual communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inability to" primarily functions as a noun phrase serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of lacking the capacity or skill to perform a specific action, as demonstrated in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

28%

Wiki

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inability to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates a lack of capacity or skill to perform a specific action. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and suitable for written English. Its usage spans diverse contexts, from News & Media to Science, showcasing its versatility, although, as a rule of thumb, in informal scenarios it's better to make use of its simpler form, i.e. "unable to". While it's deemed correct and widely used, remember to avoid overuse in informal settings. This guide offers insights into its proper usage, common errors, and related phrases to enhance your writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incapacity to

Uses a more formal synonym for "inability", highlighting a legal or medical context.

failure to

Emphasizes the lack of success in performing an action, shifting the focus to the outcome.

lack of ability to

Rephrases the concept to highlight the missing skill or capacity.

cannot

A shorter, more direct way of expressing the impossibility of performing an action.

powerless to

Indicates a lack of control or influence, rather than just a lack of skill.

helpless to

Highlights a state of being unable to act due to external circumstances.

deficiency in

Focuses on a specific area where a skill or capacity is lacking.

struggle to

Suggests a difficulty in performing an action, rather than a complete inability.

difficulty in

Indicates that something is not easy to accomplish.

handicapped in

Uses the word 'handicapped' to indicate a disadvantage or impediment to perform a specific action.

FAQs

How can I use "inability to" in a sentence?

Use "inability to" to describe someone's lack of capacity or skill to perform a specific action. For example: "His inability to focus made studying difficult."

What are some alternatives to "inability to"?

You can use alternatives like "incapacity to", "failure to", or "lack of ability to", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "inability to" or "unable to"?

"Inability to" is generally more formal than "unable to". Choose the phrase that best suits the tone and context of your writing.

What is the difference between "inability to" and "difficulty in"?

"Inability to" indicates a complete lack of capacity, while "difficulty in" suggests that something is challenging but not necessarily impossible.