[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/inability/)

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# inability

noun (inability, usually uncountable)

«inability» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

Not being able to do something; a lack of skill, power or means. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/inability/#m1)

### In the lessons

In formal writing and exams: «his inability to swim», «an inability to pay». In stories and health it describes a problem a person has. Phrase: an inability to + verb.

### Examples

- His inability to swim kept him out of the boat. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/inability/#x1)
- The baby's inability to talk made her cry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/inability/#x2)
- Her inability to sleep made her tired. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/inability/#x3)
- The shop closed because of its inability to pay the rent. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/inability/#x4)
- An inability to see colours is called colour blindness. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/inability/#x5)
- His inability to say sorry made things worse. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/inability/#x6)
- The Fox on her return, discovered what had happened, but was less grieved for the death of her young than for her inability to avenge them. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/inability/#x7)

### Note

Followed by «to + verb». Not used with «at». Opposite: ability. Do not confuse with «disability», which means a long-term condition affecting the body or mind.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «inability» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/inability/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«inability» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/inability.html) on Mova free.