inabilities

IPA/ˌɪn.əˈbɪl.ə.ti/
IPA/ˌɪn.əˈbɪl.ə.t̬i/

inabilities — noun

1. multiple specific areas in which a person, organisation, or system fails to do w

1.名詞B2
釋義

multiple specific areas in which a person, organisation, or system fails to do what is needed or expected, especially when several distinct kinds of weakness are mentioned together.

例句

Elena's financial inabilities prevented her from getting a mortgage for her first home.

collocation: financial inabilities

The local hospital's technical inabilities made it difficult to update its patient records system.

pattern: [institution]'s inabilities + verb

同義詞
  • incapacities

    stronger and more formal; suggests a fundamental or permanent lack, often physical or legal

  • inadequacies

    focuses on falling short of a required standard rather than a total lack

  • weaknesses

    less formal and broader in scope; can refer to character, skill, or structural flaws

反義詞
  • abilities

    direct opposite; strengths or skills in various areas

  • capabilities

    emphasises what someone is capable of achieving

用法筆記

The plural form inabilities is far less common than the singular inability. Writers choose the plural when they want to name several distinct areas of weakness side by side (e.g. financial inabilities, technical inabilities, and social inabilities). In most everyday contexts the singular inability is preferred, even when discussing multiple areas collectively.

常見錯誤

❌His inabilities to finish the project were clear.
✅His inabilities in project management were clear.
💡Inabilities is rarely followed by a to‑infinitive; use in + [area] instead.
❌She has inabilities with numbers.
✅She has an inability to work with numbers.
💡Use the singular when referring to a single general area of difficulty.