Unability vs. Inability — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 16, 2024
Unability is the incorrect spelling of inability, which means the state of being unable to do something.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Unability or Inability
How to spell Inability?
Unability
Incorrect Spelling
Inability
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Remember that "unability" is not a standard English word, and "inability" conforms to typical English prefixes.
Recall that "inability" starts with "in-", a common prefix in English for negation, similar to "incorrect" or "incomplete."
"Inability" pairs with "ability," simply adding the negation prefix "in-" to form its opposite.
How Do You Spell Inability Correctly?
Incorrect: Due to his unability to hear, he didn’t respond.
Correct: Due to his inability to hear, he didn’t respond.
Incorrect: Her unability to attend came as a surprise.
Correct: Her inability to attend came as a surprise.
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Incorrect: I was taken aback by his unability to understand basic instructions.
Correct: I was taken aback by his inability to understand basic instructions.
Incorrect: The team's unability to score is frustrating.
Correct: The team's inability to score is frustrating.
Incorrect: He demonstrated his unability to swim.
Correct: He demonstrated his inability to swim.
Inability Definitions
Lack of the physical or mental power to do something.
His injury resulted in an inability to walk without assistance.
The state of being not equipped to handle a particular situation effectively.
His inability to manage stress affects his performance at work.
The fact of not being proficient at a task or skill.
Her inability to cook well is a frequent topic of family humor.
A condition of being unable to perform because of legal restriction or lack of capacity.
The law's complexity can cause an inability for laypeople to understand their rights.
The characteristic of lacking sufficient qualifications, strength, or power.
Their inability to meet the project deadlines jeopardized the whole venture.
The state of being unable to do something
His inability to accept new ideas
Lack of ability or means.
Lack of the ability to do something; incapability.
Lack of the option to do something; powerlessness.
The quality or state of being unable; lack of ability; lack of sufficient power, strength, resources, or capacity.
It is not from an inability to discover what they ought to do, that men err in practice.
Lack of ability (especially mental ability) to do something
Lacking the power to perform
Inability Meaning in a Sentence
Her inability to lie makes her a trustworthy friend.
Many struggled with the inability to see their families during the lockdown.
He has an inability to focus on tasks for long periods.
His inability to compromise affected their relationship.
The project was hindered by our inability to fund it adequately.
The inability to access clean water is a critical issue here.
His inability to admit mistakes often causes conflicts.
The company's inability to innovate could lead to its downfall.
Her inability to understand complex math problems frustrated her.
The team's inability to work together affected their performance.
He was criticized for his inability to make decisive decisions.
Their inability to communicate effectively led to misunderstandings.
The inability to verify the information led to confusion.
She overcame her inability to speak publicly with great courage.
The inability to update the software caused many errors.
She felt frustrated by her inability to help more.
His inability to manage time effectively caused delays.
Their inability to accept criticism was a significant weakness.
The inability to predict the market led to financial losses.
The inability to control the spread of the virus was alarming.
Her inability to swim kept her from joining the trip.
The city's inability to handle the crisis was evident.
His inability to remember names was often embarrassing.
Their inability to secure the area resulted in chaos.
The inability to access affordable housing is a major problem in urban areas.
Inability Idioms & Phrases
Result from inability
To occur as a consequence of lacking the ability.
The error resulted from his inability to check the figures accurately.
Confess inability
To admit one's lack of ability or power.
He had to confess his inability to meet the deadline.
Inability to stand
Literally or figuratively unable to uphold oneself against opposition or difficulty.
After the hike, his inability to stand was evident from his exhaustion.
Stem from inability
To originate from a lack of ability.
The conflict seemed to stem from his inability to accept new ideas.
Inability to cope
Not being able to deal effectively with something.
Her inability to cope with stress became increasingly apparent.
Inability to see eye to eye
To frequently disagree or fail to agree on a topic.
Their inability to see eye to eye on the budget stalled the project.
Prove inability
To demonstrate a lack of capacity or skill.
The test was supposed to prove their inability, but they managed to succeed.
Inability to understand
Lacking comprehension or grasp of a subject.
Her inability to understand the instructions slowed down the process.
Laugh at one's inability
To make light of or joke about one's own shortcomings.
She often laughed at her inability to remember street names.
Highlight one's inability
To make someone's lack of skill or power especially noticeable.
The challenging task served to highlight his inability to focus.
Inability to proceed
Being unable to continue or move forward.
His injury caused an inability to proceed with the marathon.
Suffer from inability
To be adversely affected by lack of capability.
He suffers from an inability to adjust to rapid changes.
Acknowledge inability
To recognize and accept one's limitations.
It's important to acknowledge your inability to perform certain tasks safely.
Inability to stand firm
Failing to maintain a resolute or unwavering stance.
His inability to stand firm in negotiations cost him dearly.
Declare inability
Formally stating that one is not capable of doing something.
She had to declare her inability to serve as chairperson due to health reasons.
Inability to keep up
Failing to maintain the same pace or level as others.
His inability to keep up with the coursework led to his falling behind.
Mask one's inability
To hide or disguise one's lack of skill.
He tried to mask his inability with confidence.
Inability to follow through
Failing to complete a task or maintain commitment.
Their inability to follow through on promises disappointed many.
Demonstrate inability
To show through actions that one is not able to perform adequately.
His attempt to solve the problem only demonstrated his inability.
Admit to one's inability
To confess openly that one is unable to perform a task.
He had to admit to his inability to keep the secrets he was told.
Common Curiosities
What is a stressed syllable in inability?
The second syllable "a" is stressed in inability.
What is the pronunciation of inability?
Inability is pronounced as /ɪnəˈbɪləti/.
Why is it called inability?
Inability is called so because it uses the prefix "in-" indicating negation, attached to "ability," referring to the state of being unable to do something.
How many syllables are in inability?
Inability has five syllables.
How do we divide inability into syllables?
Inability is divided into syllables as in-a-bil-i-ty.
How is inability used in a sentence?
Inability is used as a noun to describe the state of being unable to perform a task or action.
What is the verb form of inability?
Inability does not have a verb form; it is strictly a noun.
What is the singular form of inability?
The singular form is inability.
What is the opposite of inability?
The opposite of inability is ability.
Is inability an adverb?
No, inability is not an adverb.
What is the root word of inability?
The root word of inability is "ability," with "in-" as a prefix added to denote negation.
What is another term for inability?
Another term for inability is incapacity.
Is inability an abstract noun?
Yes, inability is an abstract noun as it refers to a condition or state rather than a physical object.
Is inability a negative or positive word?
Inability is generally considered a negative word as it highlights a lack or deficiency.
Is inability a countable noun?
No, inability is typically used as an uncountable noun; however, it can be countable in the form "inabilities" when referring to multiple types of inability.
Is inability a collective noun?
No, inability is not a collective noun.
What is the plural form of inability?
The plural form is inabilities.
Is the word inability imperative?
No, the word inability is not imperative as it is a noun.
Which determiner is used with inability?
Determiners such as "the," "a," "her," and "his" can be used with inability.
Is the inability term a metaphor?
No, the term "inability" is not typically used as a metaphor; it directly describes a lack of capacity.
Is the word “inability” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Inability can be used as a direct object in a sentence.
Which vowel is used before inability?
Typically, "an" is used before inability due to the vowel sound it starts with.
Which conjunction is used with inability?
Conjunctions such as "and" and "or" can be used when discussing multiple aspects of inability.
What part of speech is inability?
Inability is a noun.
Is inability a noun or adjective?
Inability is a noun.
Is inability a vowel or consonant?
The word inability starts with a vowel sound.
Which preposition is used with inability?
Prepositions like "to," "of," and "in" are commonly used with inability.
Is the word inability Gerund?
No, inability is not a gerund; it remains a noun.
Which article is used with inability?
The definite article "the" or the indefinite "an" can be used with inability, depending on the context.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
