out of ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of ability" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has exceeded one's abilities or capacity. Example: My math homework was too difficult, and I was unable to complete it due to my running out of ability.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The report concludes that "Councils have tried to protect social care spending at the cost of other services but are running out of ability to do this in the future".

The Guardian

Farrell: At some point you run out of ability to rescue firms.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This out-of-home ability has been a major point of contention between distributors like Comcast and channel owners.

The New York Times

During the train to train rescue process, the EB is applied by the rescue train while the disabled train is out of the ability of applying braking.

Journal of Modern Transportation

There was nothing more to squeeze out of his ability.

Huffington Post

The center grew out of Abilities Inc., a nonprofit venture Dr. Viscardi started at Eleanor Roosevelt's urging to find private jobs for the disabled.

The New York Times

Because you are from "out of town", your ability to get a cost-effective connectivity option is generally reduced.

Huffington Post

The stated results show that the proposed method could point out the ability of design of a new intelligent assistance diagnosis system.

Expert Systems with Applications

The headteacher says she never set out to get rid of ability labelling at the school.

The Guardian

Figure  2b shows the ability for out-of-sample predictions of very long stays.

BMC Psychiatry

Donald Trump's candidacy has been a source of anxiety for many reasons, but one stands out: the ability of the President to launch nuclear weapons.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "out of ability", ensure it clearly indicates a limit reached, either personal or systemic. For instance, a person may be "out of ability" to pay debt, indicating personal limit. A government may be "out of ability" to provide subsidies, indicating systemic limit.

Common error

Avoid using "out of ability" to describe a temporary lack of skill or resources. The phrase typically suggests a more fundamental or persistent limitation. Instead, consider phrases like "currently unable" or "lacking the immediate resources" to convey a transient state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of ability" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, adverb, or noun. It indicates a state of limitation or exhaustion of capacity. The examples that Ludwig provides demonstrates a range of applications, from financial limitations to the limit of personal skill.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "out of ability" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the exhaustion of resources or capabilities. While not as prevalent as other expressions of limitation, its use is correct and understandable, as confirmed by Ludwig. The phrase appears in both news and scientific contexts. Related phrases include "lacking the capacity" and "beyond one's capabilities". When using "out of ability", be mindful that it suggests a fundamental or persistent limitation rather than a temporary lack. Overall, "out of ability" serves to highlight a boundary or constraint that hinders further action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking the capacity

Focuses on the absence of inherent capacity rather than exceeding it.

beyond one's capabilities

Emphasizes that something is impossible given current skills.

without the competence

Highlights the absence of required skills.

exceeding capabilities

Emphasizes the action surpassing established ability levels.

unable to cope

Highlights an inability to manage or deal with a situation.

unable to manage

Focuses on the lack of control or handling skills.

at the limit of one's skill

Indicates reaching the maximum potential or expertise.

incapable of handling

Points to an inability to deal with something effectively.

exceeding one's grasp

Suggests ambition beyond current competence.

beyond one's depth

Implies being overwhelmed by complexity or difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "out of ability" in a sentence?

You can use "out of ability" to describe a limit reached either physically or systematically. For example: "The council is running "out of ability" to protect social care spending" or "I am running "out of ability" to manage this project".

What phrases are similar to "out of ability"?

Similar phrases include "lacking the capacity", "beyond one's capabilities", or "unable to cope", all indicating limitations or a lack of competence.

Is it correct to say someone is "out of ability"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. While not as common as other phrases expressing limitations, "out of ability" is understandable and can be used to describe a situation where capabilities have been exhausted.

When is it appropriate to use "out of ability" instead of "unable to"?

Use "out of ability" when you want to emphasize that a limit has been reached or that resources or capabilities have been completely exhausted. "Unable to" is a more general term for lacking the capacity to do something, without necessarily implying the exhaustion of resources or capabilities.