inability to pay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inability to pay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing financial issues, debts, or situations where someone cannot afford to make a payment. Example: "Due to my current financial situation, I am facing an inability to pay my rent this month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inability to pay debts is sufficient.

Columbia University

We're seeing their inability to pay".

The Guardian

Substantial aid from foreign sources has greatly alleviated inability to pay.

Stanford University

"They cannot refuse to see you based on your inability to pay".

The New York Times

First, a graduate cannot default on an income-contingent loan because of inability to pay.

The New York Times - Magazine

The inability to pay condo fees need not be a moral failing.

The New York Times - Magazine

The sadness in Oranges was the narrators inability to pay for the candy bar.

The New York Times

But Burger King contends that his glamorous touches only disguised an inability to pay bills.

The New York Times

"An inability to pay is not at all an impediment," Donahue said.

The Washington Post

In the beginning of every semester, we drop hundreds of students for inability to pay the bill.

Princeton University

Yet today, the inability to pay bail has become the sole reason many individuals remain in jail.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "inability to pay", be specific about the reason and context. For example, specify if it's due to job loss, medical expenses, or other factors to provide clarity.

Common error

While "inability to pay" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in very casual conversations. Alternatives like "can't afford it" or "short on cash" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inability to pay" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It represents a state or condition of not being able to fulfill a financial obligation. Ludwig shows numerous examples across diverse sources confirming its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

32%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inability to pay" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression denoting a lack of financial capacity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability across various contexts. While alternatives like "financial hardship" or "lack of funds" exist, "inability to pay" offers a neutral and precise way to convey this concept, particularly in formal settings. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase appears often in news, academic, and scientific domains, underscoring its relevance in diverse professional discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

financial hardship

Focuses on the difficult financial condition causing the inability.

lack of funds

Directly states the absence of necessary money.

insolvency

A more formal term indicating a state of being unable to pay debts.

financial constraints

Highlights the limitations imposed by a lack of money.

economic difficulties

Emphasizes the challenging economic circumstances.

cash flow problems

Specifies issues with the movement of money.

being broke

An informal way of saying you have no money.

pecuniary embarrassment

A more elaborate way of describing financial difficulties, focusing on shame or awkwardness.

empty pockets

A colloquial expression for having no money.

strapped for cash

Informal phrase suggesting a temporary lack of funds.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "inability to pay" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using "insolvency" or "financial hardship", which convey a similar meaning with a heightened degree of professionalism.

What's a simpler way to express "inability to pay" in everyday conversation?

In everyday conversation, you can use phrases like "can't afford it", "short on cash", or "broke" to convey the same idea more casually.

Is it correct to say "disability to pay" instead of "inability to pay"?

While "disability to pay" might seem grammatically similar, the standard and more accepted phrase is "inability to pay". "Disability" typically refers to a physical or mental condition, while "inability" refers to a lack of capacity or means.

In what situations is it most appropriate to use the phrase "inability to pay"?

The phrase "inability to pay" is most appropriate in formal contexts, such as legal documents, financial reports, or professional correspondence, where a precise and neutral expression of financial difficulty is required.