Meaning & use
lack of ability
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
The state of not having the skill, talent, or physical power to do something.
Grammar: Often used with 'a' before it, or in phrases like 'lack of ability to do something'.
Patterns
- lack of ability to do something
- a lack of ability in something
- show a lack of ability
His lack of ability in math made it hard for him to pass the exam.
The coach was frustrated by the team's lack of ability to score goals.
She was hired despite her lack of ability to speak French.
Common combinations
- a lack of ability
- The report highlighted a lack of ability among new employees.
- lack of ability to do something
- His lack of ability to concentrate caused many mistakes.
- show a lack of ability
- The candidate showed a lack of ability during the interview.
Synonyms and how they differ
- inability
- More formal and often used in official or medical contexts; it is a single noun, not a phrase.
- incompetence
- Stronger and more disapproving; it suggests not just lack of skill but failure to do a job properly.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: lack of ability or inability?
lack of ability vs inability
Inability is a single noun meaning the same thing, but it is more formal and cannot be used with 'a' in the same way: 'a lack of ability' but 'an inability'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'lack of ability' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase is a noun phrase and usually takes 'a' before it: 'a lack of ability'. Option B misses 'a'; option C uses 'lacks' as a verb, which does not take 'of'; option D uses 'is' incorrectly.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “lack of ability”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.