Unable Vs Inable, Which Is Correct To Use In Writing?

When writing, many words were used to describe a particular ability but changed in spelling over the years even though they sound similar when pronouncing them. This is the case of unable and inable, adjectives used to describe when someone cannot do something.

The correct word to use in writing when referring to a lack of a specific ability is unable. It will describe situations in which a person is incapable of completing a task. Inable, on the other hand, is not in use. Still, it has a similar pronunciation to unable or enable, which means “not able.”

The word “unable ” was initially written as “unability” reformed to align more with Latin. However, improving the spelling of inable was confusing because it was similar to “enable,” which is the opposite. This article will go over the main differences and how to use each one in writing.

What Is The Difference Between “Unable” And “Inable”?

The prefix is the primary key distinction between these two terms. In Latin, for example, the prefix ‘in’ is added to adjectives to give them a negative connotation (such as inexpensive or inappropriate), but it is also used in nouns to represent a decrease or loss of interest in something (incapable or insensitive)

However, as time passed and language and grammar evolved, people began to replace the prefix in- with un- to make more sense when writing or pronouncing. As a result, in the 18th- century, words sounded very similar, making it difficult for people to tell the difference between concepts.

Un- is significantly related to in-, but this prefix occurs in most adjectives or adverbs indicating a reversal or opposite of a word. Examples of words like unwilling, unhappy, or un-able with the prefix un- show the antagonism of the main concept or phrase.

There are nouns with these prefixes that could have almost the same meaning but are written differently. Words like instability that also refer to unstability, inequality to unequal, and inability to inable. In these cases, both prefixes lean towards the same object and explain a very similar concept.

In other cases, they also refer to different senses and establish a noticeable difference in the word’s intention. For example, unhuman resembles the qualities that identify a human being. In contrast, inhuman. Still, it is the lack of emotions or mercy that someone has towards a person or situation.

In the late 14th century, the word unable was translated from the French inhabile or in Latin inhabilis. Mainly it was implemented for those cases where someone did not have the skill or knowledge to do something.

Which one to use in writing?

When using the word ‘unable,’ we are going to refer to our level of availability. In this case, we will concentrate on explaining whenever someone cannot complete specific tasks when asked to or assigned to. When writing sentences, this word will be used as an adjective.

We will start to look at some examples:

• Kathy is unable to hear anything that I am saying

In this case, the word is referring to Kathy having problems hearing her friend

• After the accident, Mike seemed unable to walk normally

Mike is not capable of walking the same way as before

• I was unable to understand what the teacher was saying

The class was incomprehensive

• He is mentally unable to see a picture of his dead wife

The person is not prepared 

In Middle English, the word started to be used as a combination of the prefix un + able as a reference; we have past used words like unabel, unhable, unhabil,

According to wiktionary, although ‘unable’ is mainly used as an adjective, it could also be present as a verb in sentences. As a third-person singular simple present (unables), present participle (unabling), simple past, and past participle (unabled).

Some synonyms related to ‘unable’ are the following:

• Inoperative: When referring to a machine that is unable to complete a task
• Inefficient: Used to describe a person who’s unable to follow instructions
• Helpless: Someone that is unable to cooperate
• ‘Not up to’: This concept explains a situation that is unable to be done because the person does not want to or does not have the energy to do it
• Inexpert: Also refers to a lack of skill when doing something
• Unqualified: This also includes the prefix un,’ and it relates to a person who doesn’t comply with the requirements needed

Antonyms

• Able: On the contrary, this refers to when someone is competent
• Qualified: Used when a person or situation works accordingly
• Skillful: People with sufficient abilities to run a task
• Capable: Having the necessary knowledge to manage a situation

“Inable” Meaning

The term “inability” evolved to indicate “disqualification” for someone working in an office in the mid-fifteenth century, and it eventually came to mean “lack of potential” for a particular post. When a situation is in denial, the prefix ‘in’ is added.

Grammar is changed throughout the years, and some of the old words that used to be trendy are no longer usable. This is the situation with the terms like inable, which can be confused with ‘enable’ since the pronunciation is similar.

The main reason why terms become obsolete is when the writing or definition tends to confuse an audience or whenever they are trying to refer to something that no longer exists. Other words can be adjusted by society depending on the usage and the popularity. Similar to idioms, young people can modify terms to explain a situation better.

Furthermore, each generation will adjust their language to their needs. This is why words like inable couldn’t make it to our modern life, not because it is difficult to pronounce or write, but in Modern English, the term could be confused, and the definition wouldn’t make much sense compared to the word unable.

Conclusion

When it comes to identifying a term with a potentially misleading pronunciation, it is vital or beneficial to spell it phonetically. This system will allow you to represent each letter with a vocal sound, which will be easier for spelling.

The word inable on its own doesn’t have a specific use any longer. However, we can still find it as a suffix on others terms to relate to a concept or a situation capable of functioning. This suffix is only used for words in modern English because in the past they were not very common in the past.

Other words can accept this suffix without modifying their spelling. To allow this suffix to be added, it has to be modified into a different form. Due to this, modern English continues to change its idiom in order to keep up with society and remain meaningful every day.

When writing the correct selection of terms it is important to adhere to a logical message. For example, words like unable or inable referred to the same situation that could allow others to use in accordance with an explanation of abilities or skills. However, today we will tend to describe it more generally, which will allow others to better understand the concept.

Many words could be used as the reference of unable. A list of synonyms was listed above for a better reference. Next time you are having issues writing a word. You are unsure when to use it or if it’s out-of-date like ‘inable’ try phonetic spelling and use a proper resource to confirm if the idiom is popular or old-fashioned.