inability to gather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inability to gather" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of capability or capacity to collect or assemble information, resources, or people. Example: "The team's inability to gather sufficient data led to inconclusive results in the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

So does the E.P.A.'s inability to gather even the most basic information about those farms.

The New York Times

Since then, F.D.A. regulators have been criticized for their inability to gather reliable data on the role of various devices in patient injuries and deaths.

The New York Times

The hunt for Bin Laden also suffered from huge structural problems, not least the need to rely on Pakistani assistance, and an inability to gather intelligence on the ground.

The Guardian

They are limited by their inability to gather information over polar regions as well as their low spatial resolutions.

European Transport Research Review

Brough clipped his penalty through the posts to extend the lead, then Ben Fisher made the most of Fisi'iahi's inability to gather a grubber kick to touchdown.

BBC

Minutes after the restart, van der Merwe capitalised on Connacht's inability to gather a high ball and ran through to leap over the line, Wight adding the extras.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

A key factor attributed to such inefficiencies is the inability to effectively gather, share, and use information in a more comprehensive manner within the healthcare systems [ 27].

BioMed Research International

A joint Congressional inquiry into intelligence failures before Sept. 11 concluded that the failures had less to do with the inability of authorities to gather information than with their inability to analyze, understand, share and act on it.

The New York Times

The number of potential challengers considering a run against Ms. Gillibrand, who was appointed by Gov. David A. Paterson in January, is growing, underscoring not only Ms. Gillibrand's perceived vulnerability but also the governor's inability, so far, to gather support for her.

The New York Times

To gather fresh strength.

Huffington Post

To gather pharmaco-economic data.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inability to gather", ensure the context clearly specifies what is not being gathered (e.g., data, information, resources). This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "inability to gather" without specifying what exactly cannot be gathered. Vague usage weakens the statement. Instead of saying "the project failed due to an inability to gather", specify "the project failed due to an inability to gather sufficient user feedback".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inability to gather" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a deficiency or lack of capacity. Ludwig AI examples show it in use in contexts related to research, intelligence, and general information gathering.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inability to gather" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a lack of capacity to collect or assemble something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad usage across various domains. While versatile, it's crucial to specify what is not being gathered to maintain clarity. Alternatives like "failure to collect" or "difficulty in gathering" offer subtle variations in meaning. Considering its prevalence in news, media, and scientific contexts, the phrase maintains a formal to neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failure to collect

Emphasizes the unsuccessful attempt to collect something.

failure to assemble

Highlights the lack of success in bringing things together.

lack of capacity to collect

Focuses on the absence of the necessary capability for collection.

incapacity to assemble

Emphasizes a more formal or absolute lack of ability.

difficulty in gathering

Indicates a struggle or challenge in the process of gathering.

struggle to collect

Highlights the effort and challenge involved in collecting.

deficiency in data collection

Specific to data, it points out a shortfall in the process.

absence of data collection

Emphasizes that data collection is completely missing.

shortage of information gathering

Stresses the insufficient amount of information obtained.

limited ability to accumulate

Focuses on the constrained capacity to accumulate something over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "inability to gather" to describe a lack of capacity to collect or assemble something. For instance, "The study's "inability to gather" sufficient data led to inconclusive results."

What are some alternatives to "inability to gather"?

Alternatives include "failure to collect", "lack of capacity to collect", or "difficulty in gathering". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "inability to gather" or "failure to collect"?

Both are correct, but "inability to gather" implies a lack of inherent capacity, while "failure to collect" suggests an unsuccessful attempt. Choose the one that best fits the situation.

What's the difference between "inability to gather data" and "inability to analyze data"?

"Inability to gather data" refers to the lack of capacity to collect information, while "inability to analyze data" refers to the lack of skill to interpret collected information. The former concerns acquisition, the latter concerns interpretation.