antonym of 'ability'

bubu   Tuesday, August 31, 2004, 00:44 GMT
Hello,

What is the antonym of ability?

Is it 'inability' or 'debility'?

Thanks in advance
Boy   Tuesday, August 31, 2004, 01:14 GMT
Just checked it in a Collins CD. It is "inability".
Random Chappie   Tuesday, August 31, 2004, 01:16 GMT
Inability.

Example: "Your *inability* to identify the correct antonym is shocking. Are so you *debilitated* that you are unable to hold a dictionary or a thesaurus in your hands?"
bubu   Tuesday, August 31, 2004, 17:38 GMT
Thanks Boy.

Dear Random,
I really appriciated the way you tried to explain to me the difference between the two words.

You have a good sense of humour.

Thanks. Are you a native English speaker?
Random Chappie   Wednesday, September 01, 2004, 04:57 GMT
Dear Bubu,

You have a good sense of humour too. And yes, I am a native English speaker.
Damian   Wednesday, September 01, 2004, 07:36 GMT
<<And yes, I am a native English speaker>>

That explains Random's admirable sense of humour! :-)

Bubu:

Debility is actually a medical condition....a physical weakness or infirmity, so it is an inability to function normally.
bubu   Thursday, September 02, 2004, 18:17 GMT
Damian
What is humourous about-
"And yes, I am a native english speaker"?

Could you plz explain? I would love to know.

Thanks
Damian   Thursday, September 02, 2004, 18:47 GMT
Hey Bubu:

<<And yes, I am a native english speaker>>

I was referring to Random's sense of humour and linking it to his English nationality. The two are supposed to go hand in hand! Nothing more mysterious than that, Bubu! :-)

May I be a wee bit cheeky here?

<<humourous>>
The correct spelling is actually: humorous. Even in the UK although the noun form here is "humour"!
On that basis, the Americans, with "humor", are more logical.
The way you spelled it is always incorrect.

If you take a similar noun word "glamour" (UK) or "glamor" (US) the descriptive adjective word again is "glamorous" in both countries. Again, the US is more logical.

I digress from the topic... sorry..I just wanted to point this out to you.....hoping you don't mind.
mjd   Thursday, September 02, 2004, 19:28 GMT
Damian,

Generally in AmE the "u" is dropped in words like "color," "humor," etc., but "glamour" is actually an exception. "Glamour" is the standard American spelling with "glamor" being a variation. As in the U.K., "glamorous" is the adjective.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=glamour
Damian   Thursday, September 02, 2004, 19:38 GMT
mjd:

You are truly a mine of information.
I never realised that about "glamour"....thanks for putting me wise and for the link. I wonder why there is that one exception?
Bubu   Friday, September 03, 2004, 23:45 GMT
Damian and mjd,

Thanks a lot

Damian,

I don't mind. In stead I find you extremely polite.

Thanks for being the person you are.
Marie   Saturday, September 04, 2004, 00:51 GMT
Ahhhhh, what a nice, sweet thread this is... everyone appreciating each others sense of humour and corrections.

Random Chappie, your explanation of those 'ability' words was so comical too! Now, how can I thoroughly conquer my learning 'disability' of latin based languages?
Damian   Sunday, September 05, 2004, 07:29 GMT
Bubu:

:-) no problem...it's nice to know we are able to help each other in here.