inapt

IPA/ɪˈnæpt/
IPA/ɪˈnæpt/

inapt — adjective

  • inaptpositive
  • more inaptcomparative
  • most inaptsuperlative

1. not suitable or appropriate for a particular purpose, occasion, or situation — f

1.形容詞C1
釋義

not suitable or appropriate for a particular purpose, occasion, or situation — for example, an inapt remark at a formal dinner, or an inapt choice of tool for a repair job.

例句

Ramón's remark about the budget cuts was inapt for a meeting about company growth.

predicative: be + inapt + for + noun phrase

Shirin thought the cartoon was an inapt example for a lesson about gravity.

attributive: inapt + noun + for + noun phrase

同義詞
  • unsuitable

    more common and less formal than 'inapt'

  • inappropriate

    emphasises social or moral wrongness rather than practical unsuitability

  • unfitting

    similar in formality to 'inapt', but less frequent

  • inapposite

    very formal; used mainly for remarks or comparisons that do not apply

反義詞
  • apt

    the direct opposite; means suitable and well-chosen

  • suitable

    common and neutral opposite

  • appropriate

    often used in social and professional contexts

文法句型

inapt + noun

be + inapt + for + noun phrase

be + inapt + to-infinitive

用法筆記

More formal than 'unsuitable'. Distinguish from 'inept' (lacking skill) — inapt refers to the thing or action itself being wrong for the context, not the person being unskilful.

常見錯誤

❌He was inapt for the job because he had no experience.
✅He was inept for the job because he had no experience.
💡'inapt' describes the thing or choice, not a person's ability; 'inept' describes a person lacking skill.
❌This tool is inapt to fix the leak.
✅This tool is inapt for fixing the leak.
💡with 'inapt', the preferred pattern is 'inapt for + noun/gerund', not 'inapt to + bare infinitive'.