inability to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inability to work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's lack of capacity or capability to perform work-related tasks, often due to health or personal issues. Example: "Due to her recent illness, she has faced an inability to work for the past month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That Clegg had always planned it thus, due to an inability to work with Gordon Brown.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Her teachers were frequently frustrated with her inability to work and play in groups.

The New York Times - Magazine

The inability to work in Lebanon, meanwhile, has also limited migrant work opportunities.

The New York Times

An inability to work in just this manner is what Mr. Hewes said drove him from teaching several years ago.

The New York Times

Marks said Flanagan's "behavior and performance issues" included bursts of "anger" and an inability to work with some co-workers.

The Guardian

The consequences include inability to work.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Its consequences include inability to work or, when work is continued, reduced effectiveness and productivity.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The principal symptom is chronic pain resulting in reduced quality of life and inability to work.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Complete inability to work gainfully is not apparent to employers, but a significant drain on social security budgets.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Also, all cases were investigated where there was inability to work for more than six weeks because of schizophrenia.

Health Economics Review

However, the main drawback of such IR-projector-based sensors is their inability to work outdoors and their power consumption.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the phrase "inability to work", clearly specify the cause or condition leading to this inability to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For instance, mention whether it's due to illness, injury, or other factors.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "inability to work" without providing sufficient details. Instead of simply stating the inability, elaborate on the specific limitations or challenges that prevent the person from working, providing a more complete and understandable picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inability to work" functions as a noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting a state or condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inability to work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes someone's lack of capacity to perform work-related tasks. As noted by Ludwig AI, the expression is suitable for written English and commonly arises in professional, scientific, and news-related contexts. When using the phrase, it's beneficial to provide context regarding the reason for the inability. While alternatives such as "incapacity to work" and "unemployability" exist, "inability to work" remains a clear and direct way to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incapacity to work

Replaces "inability" with "incapacity", a synonym with a similar meaning.

lack of capacity for employment

Uses "lack of capacity" to convey a similar meaning to "inability", but sounds more formal.

unemployability

A single word that encapsulates the state of being unable to be employed.

incompetence at work

Substitutes "inability" with "incompetence", focusing on a lack of necessary skills.

loss of working ability

Highlights the aspect of losing the capacity to work.

inability to perform duties

Focuses on the inability to carry out specific tasks related to a job.

disability to perform job duties

Replaces "inability to work" with a more specific description related to job performance.

occupational disablement

A formal term referring to the state of being unable to work due to a disability.

failure to maintain employment

Focuses on the outcome of being unable to work: losing or not keeping a job.

absence from work

Focuses on the state of not being present at work, often due to an inability to perform one's duties.

FAQs

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

You can use "inability to work" to describe a situation where someone cannot perform their job due to various reasons. For example, "His /s/chronic+illness caused an inability to work" or "The /s/accident resulted in a temporary inability to work".

What are some synonyms for "inability to work"?

Alternatives for "inability to work" include "incapacity to work", "unemployability", or "occupational disablement", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "inability to work" and "unemployment"?

"Inability to work" refers to the physical or mental condition that prevents someone from working, while "unemployment" is the state of being without a job but potentially able and available to work. "Inability to work" can cause unemployment, but they are not the same thing.

Is it correct to use "inability to work" in formal writing?

Yes, "inability to work" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in medical, legal, or professional contexts. It clearly and directly communicates a person's lack of capacity to perform work-related tasks. However, depending on the context, a more precise term might be more suitable.