Understanding ‘Unable’: Boost Your IELTS Vocabulary
Learn the meaning, usage, and common mistakes associated with the word ‘unable’. This video covers its definition, word type, synonyms, antonyms, and provides practical examples to help improve your IELTS vocabulary skills.
Imagine you’re trying to open a tightly sealed jar, but no matter how hard you twist, it won’t budge.
In this situation, you are unable to open the jar. Today, we’re going to learn about the word unable and how to use it correctly in your IELTS exam.
Word type: Unable is an adjective. We use it to describe a person or thing that cannot do something.
Meaning: Unable means not having the skill, strength, or knowledge to do something.
It describes a lack of ability or capability.
Word history: The word unable comes from combining the prefix un, meaning not, with the word able, which means having the power, skill, or means to do something.
Antonyms: Some opposites of unable are able, capable, and competent.
Synonyms: Words with similar meanings to unable include incapable, powerless, and incompetent.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s look at how to use unable in different contexts. First: After spraining his ankle, Tom was unable to play in the football match.
Second: The company was unable to meet the deadline due to technical issues. Third: Despite studying hard, Sarah was unable to pass her driving test on the first attempt.
Common errors in use: A common mistake is using unable with to be. For example, saying I am unable to working is incorrect.
The correct form is I am unable to work. To sum up, unable is an adjective that describes not being able to do something.
It’s often followed by the word to and a verb. Remember to use it when you want to express that someone or something lacks the ability to perform an action.
Using unable correctly can help improve your vocabulary range in the IELTS exam.
