inabilityin‧a‧bil‧i‧ty /ˌɪnəˈbɪləti/ ●●○ noun [singular, uncountable] 
Examples
Alcoholism can result in an inability to cope. the government’s inability to enforce the ceasefire
ExamplesEXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
Thesaurus- A big reason why retailers file for bankruptcy is their inability to get credit.
- Everything points to a victory for the conservatives, except their inability to make the most of their advantages.
- Gary's inability to use his legs means he's had to modify the gliders so he can fly them.
- In general, the courts have not required hearings when the charges against teachers have related to their inability to perform.
- It revealed an inability to compromise which remained unaltered after the fall of the Government in August.
- It was just a strange feeling and of course the inability to contact anyone in the Shill's room.
- Many have blamed what they termed an inability to win on an inability to hit more than one shape of shot.
- More wounding than the question is the inability to give a coherent answer.
Longman Language Activatorto be unable to do something► can't/cannot
Word family · "Will you help me move this?" "I'm sorry, I can't - my back's still giving me trouble."can't/cannot do something · Louise can't see anything without her glasses.· He couldn't remember where he had left the car.· I could never have climbed that ridge - I'm too out of shape.· Scientists still cannot explain exactly how the virus reproduces.· Sarah could not understand why anyone would want to hurt her.
► not be able to do something - use this especially in the past or future tense: · Unfortunately, I wasn't able to help them.· I'm afraid I won't be able to come to the meeting after all.· The doctor told Tina she wouldn't be able to have children.· I've looked all over the house but I haven't been able to find my keys anywhere.
► be unable to do something especially written to not be able to do something, especially something important that you want to do or need to do: · He lay awake all night, unable to sleep.· The surgery left her unable to walk for nearly three months.
► inability to do something the fact that someone is unable to do something, used especially when you are annoyed with them because you think they are too weak, lazy etc to do it: · Her actions show an inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality.somebody's inability to do something: · He even blamed his parents for his inability to make friends.· Voters are becoming frustrated at the inability of the administration to do anything about the debt crisis.
► be incapable/not be capable to not have the physical or mental ability to do something - often used when you are criticizing someone: be incapable/not be capable of: · Matthew seemed to be incapable of keeping a job.· She's no longer capable of taking care of herself.· Nero was a cruel man, utterly incapable of pity or sympathy.
► not be in a position to do something/be in no position to do something informal to not be able to do something because you do not have enough knowledge, money, or authority: · I'm afraid I'm not in a position to answer your questions.· Local school boards are in no position to pay for the extra cost of the curriculum.scarcely/hardly in a position to do something: · The US is hardly in a position to criticize other countries for wasting energy supplies.
► not be equipped/be ill-equipped to be unable to do something because you do not have the right training or experience: not be equipped/be ill-equipped to do something: · The young teacher wasn't equipped to deal with such a difficult class.· The organization is ill-equipped to deal with the problems it may encounter.not be equipped/be ill-equipped for: · After so many years in prison, Victor was not equipped for life on the outside.
► not know how to do something to be unable to do something, especially something practical, because you have not learned how to do it: · I didn't know how to drive a car till I was 28.· A lot of the doctors here still don't know how to use the new equipment.
WORD FAMILYnounability ≠ inabilitydisabilityadjectiveable ≠ unabledisabledverbenable ≠ disableadverbably
the fact of being unable to do somethinginability to do something Alcoholism can result in an inability to cope. the government’s inability to enforce the ceasefire