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B1 adjective #36 پرکاربردترین 8 دقیقه مطالعه

unreliable

رتبه 36

At the A1 level, we can think of 'unreliable' as a way to say something is 'not good' because it does not work when you need it. Imagine you have a toy that sometimes works and sometimes does not. You cannot play with it every day. That toy is unreliable. Or imagine a friend who says, 'I will come to your house at 5 o'clock,' but they do not come. They do this many times. This friend is unreliable. In simple English, unreliable means you cannot say 'I am sure this will work' or 'I am sure this person will do what they say.' It is the opposite of 'good' or 'dependable.' When you are just starting to learn English, you might use simpler words like 'bad' or 'not working,' but 'unreliable' is a better word to use when something is sometimes okay and sometimes not. It helps you describe things more clearly. For example, if your internet is slow sometimes and fast sometimes, you can say 'My internet is unreliable.' This is a very useful word for talking about problems with things you use every day, like buses, phones, or even the weather.

At the A2 level, you are beginning to describe things with more detail. 'Unreliable' is an adjective that describes a person or a thing that you cannot trust to do what it is supposed to do. It comes from the word 'rely,' which means to depend on someone. When we add 'un-' to the beginning, it means 'not.' So, 'unreliable' means 'not able to be depended on.' You might use this word when talking about your daily routine. If the bus is always late, it is an unreliable bus. If your old phone turns off suddenly, it is an unreliable phone. It is important to know that 'unreliable' is different from 'broken.' If something is broken, it does not work at all. If something is unreliable, it might work today but fail tomorrow. This word is very common in conversations about work and school. If a student does not finish their homework many times, the teacher might think they are unreliable. Using this word shows that you understand that some things are not consistent. It is a step up from saying 'sometimes good, sometimes bad.'

As a B1 learner, you should be comfortable using 'unreliable' to describe a lack of consistency and dependability in various contexts. This level involves being able to explain why something is unreliable. For instance, you might say, 'The weather forecast is unreliable because it changes so quickly in this region.' You are not just stating a fact; you are providing a reason. 'Unreliable' is a key word for discussing professional and social responsibilities. In a workplace, an unreliable employee is someone who might be talented but cannot be trusted to meet deadlines or show up on time. In social life, an unreliable friend is someone who 'flakes' or cancels plans frequently. You can also use it to describe abstract things like information. With the rise of the internet, being able to identify an 'unreliable source' is a vital skill. This means the information might be wrong or biased. At this level, you should also start to notice common collocations, such as 'unreliable narrator' in books or 'unreliable witness' in legal dramas. It is a versatile adjective that adds precision to your descriptions of failure and inconsistency.

At the B2 level, 'unreliable' becomes a tool for more nuanced critique and analysis. You can use it to discuss complex systems, such as the 'unreliable nature of the global economy' or 'unreliable infrastructure in developing nations.' At this stage, you should understand that 'unreliable' can describe not just a total failure, but a failure to meet a specific standard of accuracy or frequency. For example, a scientific experiment might be deemed unreliable if the results cannot be replicated by other scientists. You should also be able to distinguish 'unreliable' from similar words like 'erratic,' 'volatile,' or 'capricious.' While 'unreliable' is a general term for lack of dependability, 'erratic' implies a lack of pattern, and 'volatile' implies a tendency toward sudden, often violent change. B2 learners should also be aware of the social implications of the word. Calling someone unreliable is a significant judgment of their character and professional standing. In writing, you might use 'unreliable' to build an argument about why a certain policy failed or why a particular piece of technology needs to be replaced. It is a staple word in academic and professional English for identifying weaknesses in a system or person.

For C1 learners, 'unreliable' is used in highly specific and sophisticated ways, often within academic, legal, or technical discourses. You might analyze the 'unreliable narrator' in postmodern literature, where the narrator's lack of credibility is a deliberate stylistic choice by the author to challenge the reader's perception of truth. In a legal context, you would discuss the 'unreliable nature of eyewitness testimony,' citing psychological studies on memory fallibility. In the sciences, 'unreliability' refers to a high degree of measurement error or a low coefficient of internal consistency in a test. C1 speakers use the word to evaluate the validity of complex arguments or the stability of intricate systems. You might describe a political alliance as 'unreliable' due to shifting geopolitical interests. At this level, you are also expected to use the word with a variety of intensifying adverbs to convey precise degrees of doubt—terms like 'fundamentally unreliable,' 'notoriously unreliable,' or 'inherently unreliable.' You understand that unreliability is often a structural issue rather than a simple series of accidents. Your usage of the word reflects a deep understanding of the nuances of trust, probability, and systemic failure.

At the C2 level, 'unreliable' is integrated into a vast lexicon of terms describing the precariousness of existence and the limitations of human knowledge. You might use it to discuss the 'unreliable nature of human perception' in a philosophical essay, arguing that our senses provide only a filtered and often distorted view of reality. In high-level professional environments, you might address 'unreliable data streams' in algorithmic trading or 'unreliable structural integrity' in advanced engineering projects, where the stakes of unreliability are catastrophic. You are capable of using the word ironically or metaphorically, perhaps describing the 'unreliable light of a fading sun' or the 'unreliable promises of a populist leader.' At this mastery level, you recognize the word's role in defining the boundaries of what can be known and trusted. You can fluently navigate between 'unreliable' and its most obscure synonyms—such as 'mercurial,' 'recreant,' or 'perfidious'—choosing the exact term that fits the rhetorical needs of your discourse. Your understanding of 'unreliable' is not just about a lack of dependability, but about the fundamental uncertainty that characterizes many aspects of the physical and social world.

تمرین کن مثال‌ها نکات و راهنمایی‌ها

unreliable در ۳۰ ثانیه

Unreliable describes anything—people, machines, or data—that cannot be trusted to perform consistently or accurately over time, leading to a loss of confidence.
The term is formed by adding the prefix 'un-' (not) to 'reliable,' indicating a fundamental lack of dependability in the subject being described.
In social contexts, it labels someone who fails to keep commitments, while in technical contexts, it refers to systems prone to frequent failure or error.
It is a versatile adjective used across formal and informal registers to identify weaknesses, inconsistencies, and potential risks in various situations.

The word unreliable is a powerful adjective used to describe anything that fails to meet expectations of consistency, truth, or performance. At its core, it is the negation of 'reliable,' formed by the prefix 'un-' (meaning not) and the root 'rely' (to depend upon). When we call something unreliable, we are expressing a lack of confidence. This lack of confidence can apply to a wide range of subjects, from a mechanical device that breaks down frequently to a person who consistently fails to keep their promises. In the modern world, we often use this word to describe technology, such as a weak Wi-Fi signal or a smartphone battery that drains too quickly. It carries a connotation of frustration because human life is built on systems of trust and predictability; when those systems fail, they are deemed unreliable.

Mechanical Failure: When a machine or system does not work as intended or stops working at critical moments, it is described as unreliable. For example, an old car that might not start on a cold morning is the definition of an unreliable vehicle.

The public transportation system in this city is notoriously unreliable, with buses often arriving twenty minutes late or not at all.

Human Character: In a social context, an unreliable person is someone who makes commitments but does not follow through. This could be a friend who cancels plans at the last minute or a colleague who misses deadlines regularly.

I stopped asking James for help because he proved to be completely unreliable during our last project.

Information and Data: In the age of the internet, we frequently discuss unreliable sources of information. This refers to websites, news outlets, or individuals who spread misinformation or data that has not been verified.

The witness was deemed unreliable by the jury after several contradictions were found in his testimony.

The weather forecast in the mountains is famously unreliable, shifting from sunshine to snow in a matter of minutes.

Using an unreliable compass during a hike can lead to dangerous situations in the wilderness.

Using the word unreliable correctly requires understanding its placement as an adjective and its relationship with the nouns it modifies. It typically follows the verb 'to be' or precedes a noun directly. When you use it, you are making a definitive judgment about the quality of a person's character or a thing's functionality. It is a versatile word that fits into formal reports, casual conversations, and academic critiques alike. To master its use, consider the specific reason why something is not dependable. Is it because of a lack of consistency, a lack of truth, or a lack of stability? Each of these nuances can be captured by 'unreliable'.

Attributive Use: This is when the word comes before the noun. It identifies a permanent or well-known quality of the object. Example: 'He drives an unreliable car.'

The company suffered losses due to their unreliable supply chain during the winter months.

Predicative Use: This is when the word follows a linking verb like 'is', 'seems', or 'became'. It describes the state of the subject. Example: 'The internet connection is unreliable today.'

Her memory of the event was unreliable because of the high levels of stress she experienced.

Comparative and Superlative: While 'more unreliable' and 'most unreliable' are grammatically correct, we often use 'less reliable' or 'least reliable' to express the same idea with a different focus.

This software version is even more unreliable than the previous one, causing frequent system crashes.

It is risky to base your entire argument on such unreliable statistics.

The old bridge was closed to traffic after engineers found its structural integrity to be unreliable.

In daily life, the word unreliable appears in a variety of high-stakes and low-stakes environments. In the business world, it is a frequent topic during performance evaluations and supply chain discussions. Managers might describe a vendor as unreliable if they fail to deliver goods on time. In the realm of technology and engineering, 'unreliability' is a metric that must be minimized; engineers work tirelessly to ensure that safety systems are never unreliable. You will also hear this word in legal settings, particularly regarding the credibility of witnesses or the validity of evidence. If a witness's story changes multiple times, the opposing counsel will argue that their testimony is unreliable. In journalism, editors must filter out unreliable sources to maintain the integrity of their reporting.

In the Workplace: 'We can't promote him yet; his attendance has been somewhat unreliable lately.' This usage highlights the importance of consistency in professional settings.

The project was delayed because we relied on an unreliable contractor who didn't show up for work.

In Technology: 'The cloud service is unreliable during peak hours.' Here, it refers to the failure of a digital system to maintain uptime or performance levels.

Many people find social media to be an unreliable source for medical advice.

In Literature and Film: Critics often discuss the 'unreliable narrator,' a character whose telling of the story is not completely accurate due to mental state, bias, or intent to deceive.

The movie's twist works because the protagonist is an unreliable narrator who hides the truth from the audience.

I wouldn't trust that old ladder; it looks extremely unreliable and might break.

While unreliable is a common word, learners often make specific errors in its formation and usage. One of the most frequent mistakes is attempting to use a different prefix to negate 'reliable.' Some might say 'irreliable' or 'disreliable,' neither of which are standard English words. Another common error involves confusing 'unreliable' with 'untrustworthy.' While they are synonyms, 'untrustworthy' often implies a moral failing or a deliberate intent to deceive, whereas 'unreliable' can simply mean that something is inconsistent or prone to failure without any malicious intent. For instance, a car can be unreliable, but it cannot be untrustworthy because a car does not have morals.

Prefix Errors: Always use 'un-' as the prefix. Avoid 'inreliable' or 'non-reliable'.

Incorrect: The data is irreliable. Correct: The data is unreliable.

Confusing with 'Inaccurate': 'Inaccurate' means something is wrong or contains errors. 'Unreliable' means it cannot be depended upon to be right consistently. A clock that is always five minutes fast is inaccurate but reliable (because it is consistent). A clock that stops and starts randomly is unreliable.

Don't confuse unreliable with 'unavailable'. If a person is unavailable, they are busy; if they are unreliable, they might be free but fail to show up.

Misusing with People: Be careful when calling a person unreliable in a professional setting. It is a strong criticism. Sometimes it is better to say 'their schedule is inconsistent' if you want to be more polite.

Calling a friend unreliable can hurt their feelings, so use it only when you need to address the behavior directly.

The unreliable nature of the experimental results meant the study had to be restarted from scratch.

To enrich your vocabulary, it is helpful to know words that are similar to unreliable but carry different shades of meaning. Depending on the context, you might choose a word that sounds more formal, more casual, or more specific to the type of failure being described. For example, 'undependable' is a very close synonym often used interchangeably. 'Fickle' is specifically used for people who change their minds or loyalties frequently. 'Erratic' describes something that lacks a regular pattern, like an erratic heartbeat or erratic behavior. Understanding these differences allows you to be more precise in your communication.

Unreliable vs. Untrustworthy: Unreliable suggests a failure of consistency or function (e.g., an unreliable car). Untrustworthy suggests a failure of character or honesty (e.g., an untrustworthy liar).

Unreliable vs. Inconsistent: Inconsistent means the quality varies (sometimes good, sometimes bad). Unreliable usually implies that the bad performance happens often enough that you cannot depend on the subject at all.

Unreliable vs. Capricious: Capricious is a more formal, literary word used for people or things (like the weather) that change suddenly and unpredictably for no clear reason.

While the machine was unreliable, the technician's erratic repair schedule only made the situation worse.

The unreliable nature of the stock market makes it a risky place for short-term investments.

His unreliable memory meant he had to write everything down in a notebook.

چقدر رسمی است؟

رسمی

خنثی

غیر رسمی

Child friendly

عامیانه

نکته جالب

The word 'reliable' was actually criticized by some 19th-century grammarians who thought it should be 'rely-on-able'. However, 'reliable' won the battle and became the standard form.

راهنمای تلفظ

UK /ˌʌnrɪˈlaɪəbl̩/

US /ˌʌnrɪˈlaɪəbl̩/

un-re-LI-a-ble

هم‌قافیه با

deniable viable liable pliable friable compliable justifiable verifiable

خطاهای رایج

Putting the stress on the first syllable (UN-reliable).
Mispronouncing the 'ia' as a single vowel sound.
Forgetting the 'un' prefix and saying 'reliable' when they mean the opposite.
Pronouncing the 'e' in 'reliable' too strongly; it should be a short 'i' sound.
Swallowing the final 'ble' sound so it sounds like 'unreliab'.

سطح دشواری

خواندن 3/5

Commonly found in news and fiction, easy to recognize with the 'un-' prefix.

نوشتن 4/5

Requires correct spelling of the 'ia' and 'ble' suffixes.

صحبت کردن 3/5

Natural to use once the stress pattern (un-re-LI-able) is mastered.

گوش دادن 2/5

Distinctive sound, though can be confused with 'reliable' if the prefix is missed.

بعداً چه یاد بگیریم؟

پیش‌نیازها

rely reliable trust depend broken

بعداً یاد بگیرید

untrustworthy inconsistent erratic fickle capricious

پیشرفته

mercurial fallible precarious dubious tenuous

گرامر لازم

Negative Prefixes

Using 'un-' to negate adjectives like 'reliable' (unreliable), 'happy' (unhappy), and 'kind' (unkind).

Adjective Order

Placing 'unreliable' before other adjectives: 'An unreliable old car' (Opinion + Age).

Linking Verbs

Using 'unreliable' after verbs like 'is', 'seems', 'looks', and 'proves'.

Adverbs of Degree

Modifying 'unreliable' with 'highly', 'very', 'somewhat', or 'completely'.

Noun Formation from Adjectives

Changing 'unreliable' to 'unreliability' by adding the '-ity' suffix.

مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

The old bus is unreliable.

L'ancien bus n'est pas fiable.

Subject + be + adjective.

My friend is unreliable; he is always late.

Mon ami n'est pas fiable ; il est toujours en retard.

Using a semicolon to connect two related thoughts.

This pen is unreliable because it stops writing.

Ce stylo n'est pas fiable car il s'arrête d'écrire.

Using 'because' to give a simple reason.

The weather here is very unreliable.

Le temps ici est très changeant.

Using 'very' to intensify the adjective.

An unreliable clock is not helpful.

Une horloge non fiable n'est pas utile.

Attributive use: adjective before the noun.

Is your internet unreliable?

Votre connexion internet est-elle instable ?

Question form using the verb 'to be'.

I don't like unreliable cars.

Je n'aime pas les voitures qui ne sont pas fiables.

Negative sentence with 'do not'.

The battery in my phone is unreliable.

La batterie de mon téléphone n'est pas fiable.

Possessive phrase 'in my phone'.

The train service became unreliable during the storm.

Le service de train est devenu instable pendant la tempête.

Using the linking verb 'became' to show change.

He is a nice person, but he is a bit unreliable.

C'est une personne sympathique, mais elle est un peu peu fiable.

Using 'a bit' to soften the criticism.

Don't use that website; the information is unreliable.

N'utilisez pas ce site web ; les informations ne sont pas fiables.

Imperative 'Don't use' followed by a reason.

We had to cancel the trip because of the unreliable van.

Nous avons dû annuler le voyage à cause de la camionnette non fiable.

Using 'because of' followed by a noun phrase.

She finds her old laptop very unreliable for school work.

Elle trouve son vieil ordinateur portable très peu fiable pour ses travaux scolaires.

Verb 'finds' + object + adjective.

Is the water supply unreliable in this village?

L'approvisionnement en eau est-il instable dans ce village ?

Question about a general state.

They replaced the unreliable machine with a new one.

Ils ont remplacé la machine non fiable par une nouvelle.

Using 'replaced... with...'.

The directions he gave us were unreliable.

Les indications qu'il nous a données n'étaient pas fiables.

Past tense of 'to be' (were).

Relying on unreliable sources can damage your reputation as a journalist.

S'appuyer sur des sources peu fiables peut nuire à votre réputation de journaliste.

Gerund phrase 'Relying on...' as the subject.

The witness's memory was deemed unreliable by the police.

La mémoire du témoin a été jugée peu fiable par la police.

Passive voice: 'was deemed unreliable'.

Despite being a genius, he was often fired for being unreliable.

Bien qu'étant un génie, il était souvent licencié pour son manque de fiabilité.

Using 'Despite' followed by a gerund.

The heating system in this building is notoriously unreliable.

Le système de chauffage de ce bâtiment est notoirement peu fiable.

Adverb 'notoriously' modifying the adjective.

I wouldn't trust that ladder; it looks completely unreliable.

Je ne ferais pas confiance à cette échelle ; elle a l'air tout à fait instable.

Conditional 'wouldn't' expressing advice.

The study was criticized for using unreliable data collection methods.

L'étude a été critiquée pour avoir utilisé des méthodes de collecte de données peu fiables.

Preposition 'for' followed by a gerund phrase.

Her car is so unreliable that she often has to take the bus.

Sa voiture est si peu fiable qu'elle doit souvent prendre le bus.

Result clause: 'so... that...'.

An unreliable narrator can make a novel much more interesting.

Un narrateur peu fiable peut rendre un roman beaucoup plus intéressant.

Comparative 'more interesting' modified by 'much'.

The economic forecast proved unreliable due to the sudden political shift.

Les prévisions économiques se sont révélées peu fiables en raison du changement politique soudain.

Verb 'proved' used as a linking verb.

Many critics argued that the protagonist was an unreliable narrator.

De nombreux critiques ont soutenu que le protagoniste était un narrateur peu fiable.

Reported speech with 'argued that'.

The bridge was closed after engineers discovered unreliable structural supports.

Le pont a été fermé après que les ingénieurs ont découvert des supports structurels peu fiables.

Complex sentence with a subordinate 'after' clause.

Using unreliable equipment in a laboratory can lead to dangerous accidents.

L'utilisation d'un équipement peu fiable dans un laboratoire peut entraîner des accidents dangereux.

Modal 'can' expressing possibility/risk.

The results of the survey were considered unreliable because of the small sample size.

Les résultats de l'enquête ont été jugés peu fiables en raison de la petite taille de l'échantillon.

Passive voice 'were considered' + adjective.

He has an unreliable memory of the events that took place ten years ago.

Il a un souvenir peu fiable des événements qui se sont déroulés il y a dix ans.

Relative clause 'that took place...'.

The software update made the entire system unreliable and prone to crashing.

La mise à jour du logiciel a rendu l'ensemble du système instable et sujet aux pannes.

Parallel adjectives: 'unreliable and prone to crashing'.

It is unwise to invest in a company with such an unreliable track record.

Il est imprudent d'investir dans une entreprise ayant des antécédents aussi peu fiables.

Expletive 'It' as a dummy subject.

The inherent unreliability of the sensors made the data virtually useless.

Le manque de fiabilité inhérent aux capteurs a rendu les données pratiquement inutiles.

Noun form 'unreliability' used as the subject.

Legal experts often debate the unreliability of eyewitness identification in criminal cases.

Les experts juridiques débattent souvent du manque de fiabilité de l'identification par les témoins oculaires dans les affaires criminelles.

Complex noun phrase as the object of 'debate'.

The regime's power was undermined by its unreliable and corrupt bureaucracy.

Le pouvoir du régime a été sapé par sa bureaucratie peu fiable et corrompue.

Passive voice with an agent 'by its... bureaucracy'.

The philosopher argued that human senses are fundamentally unreliable for perceiving objective reality.

Le philosophe a soutenu que les sens humains sont fondamentalement peu fiables pour percevoir la réalité objective.

Adverb 'fundamentally' used for philosophical emphasis.

The project's failure was attributed to an unreliable supply of raw materials.

L'échec du projet a été attribué à un approvisionnement peu fiable en matières premières.

Phrasal verb 'attributed to'.

She dismissed his claims as the ramblings of an unreliable and biased observer.

Elle a rejeté ses affirmations comme étant les divagations d'un observateur peu fiable et partial.

Using 'as' to categorize the object.

The algorithm's performance was hampered by unreliable input from the users.

Les performances de l'algorithme ont été entravées par des entrées peu fiables de la part des utilisateurs.

Passive voice 'was hampered by'.

Historians must navigate the unreliable accounts found in ancient manuscripts.

Les historiens doivent naviguer parmi les récits peu fiables que l'on trouve dans les manuscrits anciens.

Modal 'must' expressing professional necessity.

The capricious nature of the market makes short-term predictions notoriously unreliable.

La nature capricieuse du marché rend les prévisions à court terme notoirement peu fiables.

Using 'capricious' and 'notoriously' for high-level precision.

He characterized the witness's testimony as a tissue of unreliable and contradictory statements.

Il a qualifié le témoignage du témoin d'amas de déclarations peu fiables et contradictoires.

Metaphorical use of 'tissue of...'.

The structural integrity of the theory was compromised by its reliance on unreliable premises.

L'intégrité structurelle de la théorie a été compromise par sa dépendance à des prémisses peu fiables.

Abstract use of 'structural integrity' applied to a theory.

The inherent unreliability of memory is a central theme in many of his psychological thrillers.

Le manque de fiabilité inhérent à la mémoire est un thème central de nombre de ses thrillers psychologiques.

Complex subject with a prepositional phrase.

They sought to mitigate the risks associated with an unreliable energy grid.

Ils ont cherché à atténuer les risques associés à un réseau énergétique peu fiable.

Infinitive phrase 'to mitigate' as the object.

The treaty was rendered unreliable by the lack of an effective enforcement mechanism.

Le traité a été rendu peu fiable par l'absence d'un mécanisme d'application efficace.

Verb 'rendered' used to describe a change in status.

The scientist's reputation never recovered after he published a series of unreliable findings.

La réputation du scientifique ne s'est jamais remise après qu'il a publié une série de conclusions peu fiables.

Negative 'never' with past simple.

Her narrative was punctuated by unreliable flashes of insight and moments of pure delusion.

Son récit était ponctué d'éclairs de lucidité peu fiables et de moments de pure illusion.

Passive voice with a complex agent.

ترکیب‌های رایج

unreliable narrator

unreliable source

unreliable witness

unreliable connection

unreliable service

unreliable data

unreliable memory

unreliable weather

unreliable car

highly unreliable

عبارات رایج

deemed unreliable

notoriously unreliable

prove unreliable

inherently unreliable

somewhat unreliable

completely unreliable

unreliable at best

unreliable in the extreme

unreliable performance

unreliable information

اغلب اشتباه گرفته می‌شود با

unreliable vs untrustworthy

Untrustworthy implies a person might lie or steal; unreliable just means they don't do what they say they will.

unreliable vs inaccurate

Inaccurate means 'wrong'; unreliable means 'cannot be counted on to be right'.

unreliable vs unavailable

Unavailable means someone is not there; unreliable means they might be there but won't do the job well.

اصطلاحات و عبارات

"a broken reed"

A person or thing that is unreliable or weak when support is needed. It refers to a reed that snaps when you lean on it.

I thought he would help me, but he turned out to be a broken reed.

literary

"built on sand"

Describes a plan, theory, or organization that is unreliable because it lacks a strong foundation.

Their business model was built on sand and collapsed within a year.

neutral

"a fair-weather friend"

A person who is reliable only when things are going well but disappears during trouble.

Don't count on him; he's just a fair-weather friend.

informal

"hit or miss"

Something that is unreliable because it is sometimes successful and sometimes not.

The food at that cafe is a bit hit or miss.

informal

"unreliable as a weathercock"

Very changeable and undependable, like a weather vane that turns with every breeze.

His political opinions are as unreliable as a weathercock.

literary

"here today, gone tomorrow"

Describes something that is unreliable because it does not last long.

These internet trends are here today, gone tomorrow.

informal

"lean on a thin staff"

To depend on something that is unreliable and likely to fail you.

Relying on luck for your exams is leaning on a thin staff.

literary

"full of holes"

Describes an argument or story that is unreliable because it has many mistakes or missing parts.

The witness's story was full of holes.

informal

"a house of cards"

An organization or plan that is very unreliable and easily destroyed.

The whole financial scheme was a house of cards.

neutral

"shaky ground"

Being in a position that is unreliable or likely to fail.

Your argument is on shaky ground without more evidence.

neutral

به‌راحتی اشتباه گرفته می‌شود

unreliable vs Irreliable

Learners think 'ir-' is the correct prefix (like 'irresponsible').

Irreliable is not a standard English word. You must always use 'unreliable'.

Correct: The data is unreliable. Incorrect: The data is irreliable.

unreliable vs Inconsistent

Both describe things that change.

Inconsistent means the quality varies (good and bad). Unreliable means the quality is often bad enough that you can't trust it.

The player is inconsistent (some games are great), but the old car is unreliable (it often breaks).

unreliable vs Broken

Both mean something doesn't work.

Broken means it doesn't work at all. Unreliable means it works sometimes but you don't know when it will fail.

The broken phone won't turn on. The unreliable phone turns off randomly.

unreliable vs Capricious

Both mean unpredictable.

Capricious is usually for moods or people's decisions. Unreliable is for performance and consistency.

The capricious boss changes his mind every hour. The unreliable boss never shows up for meetings.

unreliable vs Flaky

Both mean undependable.

Flaky is very informal and almost always used for people who cancel plans. Unreliable is neutral and used for people and things.

My flaky friend canceled again. The unreliable bridge is dangerous.

الگوهای جمله‌سازی

The [noun] is unreliable.

The bus is unreliable.

I have an unreliable [noun].

I have an unreliable phone.

It is [adverb] unreliable.

It is notoriously unreliable.

The [noun] proved to be unreliable.

The witness proved to be unreliable.

The inherent unreliability of [noun]...

The inherent unreliability of memory is well-documented.

Rendered unreliable by [noun phrase]...

The study was rendered unreliable by the lack of a control group.

Because the [noun] was unreliable, [result].

Because the car was unreliable, I was late for work.

Despite being [adjective], it is unreliable.

Despite being expensive, the software is unreliable.

خانواده کلمه

اسم‌ها

فعل‌ها

صفت‌ها

مرتبط

نحوه استفاده

frequency

Common in both spoken and written English, especially in news, business, and technology contexts.

اشتباهات رایج

Using 'irreliable' instead of 'unreliable'. → The data is unreliable.
'Irreliable' is not a word in English. Adjectives starting with 'r' often take 'ir-' (like irresponsible), but 'reliable' is an exception.
Confusing 'unreliable' with 'broken'. → The phone is unreliable; it works sometimes.
If something is broken, it never works. If it is unreliable, it works inconsistently. Don't use 'unreliable' for something that is completely dead.
Saying 'a unreliable' instead of 'an unreliable'. → He is an unreliable person.
Always use 'an' before words that start with a vowel sound. 'Unreliable' starts with the 'uh' sound.
Using 'unreliable' when you mean 'unavailable'. → He was unavailable for the meeting.
'Unavailable' means the person was busy or not there. 'Unreliable' means they were supposed to be there but didn't show up.
Spelling it 'unrelyable'. → The car is unreliable.
When you add the suffix '-able' to 'rely', the 'y' changes to an 'i'. This is a common spelling rule in English.

نکات

Use 'an' not 'a'

Because 'unreliable' starts with a vowel sound (u), you must always use the article 'an' before it. For example: 'an unreliable source'.

Pair with Adverbs

To sound more like a native speaker, pair 'unreliable' with adverbs like 'notoriously', 'highly', or 'completely'. This adds more detail to your description.

Be Careful with People

Calling someone 'unreliable' is a strong personal criticism. If you want to be more polite, try saying 'their schedule is a bit unpredictable' or 'they've been very busy lately'.

Unreliable Narrator

If you are writing a story, consider using an unreliable narrator. It's a great way to keep your readers guessing and make your plot more complex.

Stress the Third Syllable

The stress in 'unreliable' is on the 'LI' (un-re-LI-able). Practice saying it out loud to make sure your pronunciation is clear and natural.

Listen for the 'Un-'

When listening to fast speech, the 'un-' prefix can be very short. Make sure you don't confuse 'unreliable' with 'reliable', as they mean opposite things!

Learn the Family

Learn 'rely', 'reliable', and 'unreliability' all at once. This helps you understand how the word is built and how to use it in different parts of a sentence.

Use for Data

In university essays, 'unreliable' is a perfect word to describe studies with small sample sizes or biased results. It sounds professional and precise.

Check the Weather

The weather is one of the most common things described as 'unreliable'. It's a great topic for small talk when you want to practice using the word.

Workplace Reliability

In a job interview, if you are asked about your weaknesses, never say you are 'unreliable'. It is one of the worst things an employer can hear!

حفظ کنید

روش یادسپاری

Think of 'UN-RE-LI-ABLE' as 'UNable to REly on the LIes'. If someone lies to you, they are unreliable.

تداعی تصویری

Imagine a chair with one leg shorter than the others. Every time you sit on it, it wobbles. That chair is unreliable.

شبکه واژگان

Broken Late False Inconsistent Unreliable Flaky Erratic Untrustworthy

چالش

Try to find three things in your house today that are unreliable. Write a sentence for each one using the word 'unreliable' and a different adverb (e.g., 'completely', 'somewhat', 'notoriously').

ریشه کلمه

The word is formed from the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') and the adjective 'reliable'. 'Reliable' itself comes from the verb 'rely', which entered English in the 14th century from the Old French 'relier' (to bind together).

معنای اصلی: The root 'relier' literally meant 'to bind back' or 'to connect'. Over time, it shifted from a physical binding to a mental or social binding—depending on someone.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > French > English

بافت فرهنگی

Be careful when using this word to describe people from different cultures whose concepts of punctuality may differ from your own.

In the UK and US, calling a colleague 'unreliable' is a very serious accusation that can lead to termination of employment.

The character of Humbert Humbert in 'Lolita' is the classic example of an unreliable narrator. The movie 'The Usual Suspects' features a famously unreliable narrator named Verbal Kint. The song 'Unreliable' by various indie artists often explores themes of heartbreak and broken promises.

تمرین در زندگی واقعی

موقعیت‌های واقعی

Technology and Gadgets

unreliable connection
unreliable battery
unreliable software
unreliable hardware

Work and Professionalism

unreliable employee
unreliable contractor
unreliable service
unreliable schedule

Information and Media

unreliable source
unreliable news
unreliable data
unreliable report

Transportation

unreliable bus
unreliable train
unreliable car
unreliable flight

Relationships

unreliable friend
unreliable partner
unreliable promise
unreliable behavior

شروع‌کننده‌های مکالمه

"Have you ever had a car that was completely unreliable?"

"Do you think social media is an unreliable source of news?"

"What is the most unreliable piece of technology you own?"

"How do you deal with a friend who is consistently unreliable?"

"Is the public transport in your city reliable or unreliable?"

موضوعات نگارش

Describe a time when you relied on someone who turned out to be unreliable. How did it make you feel?

Write about a piece of technology that is unreliable but you still use every day. Why do you keep it?

In your opinion, what makes a source of information unreliable in the modern world?

Reflect on a time when you were unreliable. What caused it, and how did you fix the situation?

Discuss the concept of the 'unreliable narrator' in a book you have read or a movie you have seen.

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

Yes, 'unreliable' is almost always used in a negative way. It indicates a failure to meet expectations of trust or consistency. However, in literature, an 'unreliable narrator' is a neutral term for a specific storytelling technique that isn't necessarily a 'bad' thing for the book.

Yes, you can. An unreliable person is someone who doesn't do what they say they will do. For example, 'He is unreliable because he always forgets our meetings.' Be careful, as this is a strong criticism in a professional setting.

The main difference is intent. 'Untrustworthy' often implies that someone is dishonest or has bad intentions (like a liar). 'Unreliable' simply means they are not consistent. A car can be unreliable, but it can't be untrustworthy because a car doesn't have a moral character.

No, 'irreliable' is not a standard word in English. While some people might use it by mistake, the correct form is always 'unreliable'. Using 'irreliable' is a common error for English learners.

It is spelled U-N-R-E-L-I-A-B-L-E. A common mistake is to forget the 'i' before the 'a' or to use 'y' instead of 'i'. Remember the root word is 'rely', but the 'y' changes to 'i' when adding the suffix.

Common things include internet connections, old cars, weather forecasts, public transportation, and people who frequently cancel plans. In science, 'unreliable data' is a very common phrase.

It is very rare. Perhaps in a very specific context, like 'I love the unreliable nature of jazz music,' where the unpredictability is seen as a creative strength. But in 99% of cases, it is a negative trait.

An unreliable narrator is a character in a story who tells the story but cannot be fully trusted. This might be because they are lying, they are mentally ill, or they simply don't have all the facts. It makes the reader question what is actually happening.

The noun form is 'unreliability'. For example, 'The unreliability of the local bus service is a major problem for commuters.' You can also use 'unreliableness', but 'unreliability' is much more common.

It is a neutral word. You can use it in a casual conversation with friends ('My phone is so unreliable') or in a formal business report ('The supplier has been unreliable this quarter'). It is appropriate for almost any situation.