What is unable? Pronunciation and usage in English

unable means . Learn how to pronounce and use unable through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of unable

unableadjective

/ʌnˈeɪbl/
Definition & pronunciation of unable

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "unable." Here's a breakdown:

Pronunciation: /ʌnˈæb(ə)l/

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  • un-: Pronounced like "uhn" – a short, unvoiced "uh" sound, almost like you're clearing your throat slightly.
  • able: This is the tricky part. It’s pronounced with a broad “a” sound, similar to the vowel in “father.” Think of saying “fah-ther” but keep the mouth wider. The “-ble” part is pronounced with the "b" sound.
  • -ed: Pronounced like "uhl" (as in "umbrella") – a short, unvoiced "uh" sound.

Putting it together:

It sounds something like: uhn-uh-buh-uhl

Tips for getting it right:

  • The ‘a’ in ‘able’ is key. Don’t say “a” like in “cat.” Aim for the wide-mouthed “ah” sound like in “father.”
  • Don’t drop the ‘r’ in ‘able’. It’s a full, rounded “ah” sound.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it. You can find recordings online by searching for "how to pronounce unable" on YouTube or using online dictionaries like Merriam-Webster or Cambridge Dictionary.

Would you like me to:

  • Provide you with audio examples?
  • Give you some common mistakes people make and how to avoid them?

Usage and examples with the word unable in English

Let's break down how to use the word "unable" effectively in English. It's a versatile word, but it's important to use it correctly to convey the right meaning.

1. Basic Meaning:

At its core, "unable" means not having the capacity or power to do something. It describes a state of lacking the ability.

2. Common Uses & Examples:

  • Physical Incapacity: This is the most frequent use.

    • "He was unable to walk after the accident." (He didn't have the physical ability to walk.)
    • "The injured athlete was unable to play in the game."
    • "She’s unable to lift heavy objects."

  • Mental/Emotional Incapacity: It can describe a lack of ability due to mental or emotional factors.

    • "I was unable to concentrate on my work because I was so worried." (I lacked the mental ability to concentrate.)
    • "He’s unable to remember his childhood." (He lacks the mental ability to recall memories.)
    • "The patient is unable to express his feelings."

  • Lack of Resources or Opportunity: Sometimes it's used to convey a lack of something needed to perform an action.

    • "The company was unable to secure funding for the project." (They didn't have the financial resources.)
    • "Due to the weather, we were unable to travel." (The weather prevented travel – lack of opportunity.)

  • Legal Context: Often used in legal documents to describe inability to fulfill obligations.

    • "The defendant was unable to appear in court."

3. "Unable" vs. "Can't":

While "unable" and "can't" often have similar meanings, there’s a subtle difference. “Can't” is more general and often expresses a temporary lack of ability. “Unable” suggests a more permanent or inherent limitation.

  • "I can’t lift this box." (Maybe you're tired, it's a temporary situation.)
  • "He is unable to lift this box." (He permanently lacks the physical strength to lift it, perhaps due to a disability.)

4. Grammar & Sentence Structure:

  • "be unable to": This is the most common structure.

    • "She was unable to answer the question."
    • "They are unable to proceed without authorization."

  • "unable to" after a preposition:

    • "He was unable to cope with the stress."
    • "The team was unable to finish the report on time."

5. Synonyms:

Here are some words that can be used in similar ways to "unable," depending on the nuance you want to convey:

  • Incapable: (More formal, suggests a fundamental lack of ability)
  • Unfit: (Often used for someone not suitable for a job or task)
  • Powerless: (Suggests a lack of control or influence)
  • Defective: (Relates to something having a flaw)
  • Impossibility: (Used when something is truly impossible)

6. Let's Practice!

Fill in the blanks with "unable" or "can't":

  1. I __________ swim very well.
  2. The bridge is __________ to cross due to the flood.
  3. He __________ believe what he was hearing.
  4. Because of her illness, she was __________ to attend the meeting.

Answers:

  1. am unable
  2. is unable
  3. couldn’t (or was unable to)
  4. was unable

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Explain a specific situation where "unable" would be appropriate?
  • Help you practice using “unable” in a writing exercise?

Synonyms for the word unable

Practice with vocabulary unable

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Due to the unexpected system crash, we were ______ to access the critical data.
  2. The project timeline proved incredibly ______ given the limited resources.
  3. The committee was ______ to reach a consensus on the new policy, leading to further delays.
  4. Many employees were ______ to adopt the new software without proper training.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (Select all that apply)

  1. Despite repeated attempts, the researchers found themselves ______ to replicate the experimental results. A) capable B) unable C) adept D) proficient
  2. Identifying the root cause of the network outage proved to be extremely ______. A) effortless B) arduous C) straightforward D) simple
  3. The legal team was ______ to proceed with the case due to a lack of sufficient evidence. A) authorized B) equipped C) unable D) prevented
  4. Many stakeholders were ______ to approve the budget increase without a detailed justification. A) eager B) hesitant C) keen D) agreeable
  5. Due to a technical glitch, many attendees were ______ to join the online conference. A) capable B) empowered C) unable D) blocked

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. He couldn't complete the assignment on time because of unforeseen complications. (Rewrite using "unable")
  2. The software has a problem that prevents it from processing large datasets efficiently. (Rewrite using a related word form of "unable")
  3. We found it very hard to get approval for the project without executive sponsorship. (Rewrite without using "unable" or related forms, using a suitable replacement word)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. unable
  2. challenging
  3. unable
  4. reluctant

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B) unable
  2. B) arduous
  3. C) unable, D) prevented
  4. B) hesitant
  5. C) unable, D) blocked

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. He was unable to complete the assignment on time due to unforeseen complications.
  2. The software has an inherent incapacity to process large datasets efficiently.
  3. We found it very challenging to secure approval for the project without executive sponsorship.

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