inconvenience
gb/ˌɪŋkənvˈinjəns/ us/ˌɪŋkənvˈinjəns/
B1
English
~ 7400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
minor trouble or difficulty
A small problem or extra effort that makes life harder or less comfortable for someone.
Usage pattern:
[something] is an inconvenience to [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"I am inconvenience"* or *"It is very inconvenience"* when they should say *"I am inconvenienced"* (verb, passive) or *"It is very inconvenient"* (adjective). Another common mistake is using *inconvenience* only as uncountable, e.g. *"It is inconvenience"* instead of *"It is an inconvenience"* when talking about one specific problem.
Synonyms
trouble (Very close in meaning; can suggest anything from small to serious problems, while inconvenience is usually relatively minor.)
|
bother (More informal and emotional; focuses on annoyance rather than extra effort or practical difficulty.)
|
nuisance (Stronger irritation and annoyance; often used about people or things that repeatedly cause minor problems.)
Antonyms
convenience (Direct opposite; refers to something that makes life easier instead of causing trouble.)
|
help (Opposite in effect, emphasizing something that reduces difficulty rather than adds to it.)
Collocations
sorry for the inconvenience
|apologize for the inconvenience
|cause an inconvenience
|any inconvenience this may cause
|a slight inconvenience
|a minor inconvenience
Themes
daily life
|business
|emotions
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I’m really sorry for the inconvenience, but the store is closed today.
- The train delay was a huge inconvenience for commuters trying to get to work on time.
- We hope this temporary road closure will cause only a slight inconvenience to residents.
- As a thank‑you for the inconvenience, the airline offered passengers meal vouchers.
- Please contact us if this change causes you any inconvenience.
Learner examples
- I am sorry for the inconvenience.
- The broken elevator is an inconvenience for old people.
- The canceled class was an inconvenience for the students.
- The noise from the street is a real inconvenience for me.
- If this time is an inconvenience for you, we can meet later.
Noun
B2
state
2
state of not being convenient
The general situation when something is not easy or comfortable and makes life harder.
Usage pattern:
the inconvenience of [doing something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this abstract, general sense with a single event and use a plural form where a general uncountable meaning fits better, e.g. *"the inconveniences of city life"* instead of the more natural *"the inconvenience of city life"* when speaking generally.
Synonyms
discomfort (Focuses more on physical or emotional unease, while inconvenience stresses extra effort or lack of ease.)
|
burden (Suggests a heavier or more serious ongoing difficulty than inconvenience.)
Antonyms
comfort (Opposite state, highlighting ease and lack of difficulty instead of inconvenience.)
|
ease (Emphasizes the absence of effort or difficulty, directly contrasting with inconvenience.)
Collocations
the inconvenience of
|accept some inconvenience
|despite the inconvenience
|without undue inconvenience
|considerable inconvenience
Themes
daily life
|society
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Many people accept the inconvenience of a longer commute in order to live in a quieter area.
- He hated the inconvenience of having to travel two hours for every medical appointment.
- Despite the inconvenience of the new security checks, most passengers agreed they were necessary.
- Working nights brought the inconvenience of sleeping during the day when everyone else was awake.
- The inconvenience of living without a car is greater in rural areas than in big cities.
Learner examples
- We accept the inconvenience of higher prices to help the environment.
- She does not like the inconvenience of cooking every day.
- The inconvenience of living far from the city is travel time.
- They talked about the inconvenience of moving to a new school.
- He complained about the inconvenience of sharing a bathroom.
Verb
formal
B2
action
3
to cause someone minor trouble
To make life a little harder for someone or cause them extra trouble, usually in a polite way of speaking.
Usage pattern:
to inconvenience [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners often avoid the verb and overuse phrases like *"make you trouble"* or *"give you problem"*. They may also say *"I am sorry to inconvenience"* without an object, instead of *"I am sorry to inconvenience you"* or the more natural *"Sorry for the inconvenience."*
Synonyms
bother (More common and informal; can sound more emotional and less polite than inconvenience.)
|
put out (Informal phrasal verb; suggests causing someone annoyance or mild frustration.)
Antonyms
accommodate (Means to make things easy or convenient for someone, the opposite of causing inconvenience.)
|
assist (Focuses on helping and reducing difficulty rather than adding to it.)
Collocations
not to inconvenience you
|I hope I didn’t inconvenience you
|sorry to inconvenience you
|inconvenience customers
|be inconvenienced by
Themes
daily life
|business
|politeness
|communication
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I hope this schedule change doesn’t inconvenience you too much.
- We don’t want to inconvenience our guests, so we arranged a shuttle from the airport.
- The roadworks will inconvenience drivers for the next two weeks.
- Please let us know if we have inconvenienced you in any way.
- To avoid inconveniencing customers, the repairs will be done at night.
Learner examples
- I hope I did not inconvenience you.
- The delay inconvenienced many people.
- We do not want to inconvenience our clients.
- Please tell me if this time inconveniences you.
- The broken bus inconvenienced all the passengers.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inconvenience
IPA
GB/ˌɪŋkənvˈinjəns/
US/ˌɪŋkənvˈinjəns/
Syllables & stress
in - con - veni - ence (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (veni)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: inconvenience
- Plural: inconvenience, inconveniences
Verb
- Base: inconvenience
- 3rd Person Singular: inconveniences
- Present Participle: inconveniencing
- Past: inconvenienced
Word family
Forms
inconveniences
noun
inconveniencing
verb
inconvenienced
verb
Core family
Related words
inconveniently
adverb
conveniently
adverb B1
Expressions
any inconvenience this may cause
1/ˈɛni ˌɪŋkənvˈinjəns ðˈɪs mˈeɪ kˈɔz/
fixed phrase
formal
referring to possible trouble caused
A fixed phrase used in formal writing to talk about small problems that something might create for people.
Examples
- We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.
- The bank wrote, "We regret any inconvenience this may cause" in its letter about the new fees.
- Please contact customer service regarding any inconvenience this may cause you.
apologies for the inconvenience
1/əpˈɑləd͡ʒiz fɚ ðə ˌɪŋkənvˈinjəns/
fixed phrase
formal
brief formal regret for trouble
A short, formal way (often in signs, emails, or announcements) to say you are sorry for a small problem.
Examples
- Apologies for the inconvenience, but this website is currently down for maintenance.
- The sign read, "Apologies for the inconvenience while we carry out repairs."
- Apologies for the inconvenience caused by the noise.
cause an inconvenience
1/kˈɔz ən ˌɪŋkənvˈinjəns/
fixed phrase
create a minor problem for someone
To create a small problem or extra work for someone.
Examples
- We don’t want to cause an inconvenience to our neighbors.
- The late delivery caused an inconvenience for the client’s schedule.
- If this visit will cause an inconvenience, we can come another day.
I apologize for the inconvenience
1/ˈaɪ əpˈɑləd͡ʒˌaɪz fɚ ðə ˌɪŋkənvˈinjəns/
fixed phrase
formal
formal apology for trouble
A formal sentence used to say you are sorry because something has caused a small problem for someone.
Examples
- I apologize for the inconvenience and will make sure it does not happen again.
- The company representative said, "I apologize for the inconvenience and the delay in your order."
- I apologize for the inconvenience this error has caused you.
sorry for the inconvenience
1/sˈɑɹi fɚ ðə ˌɪŋkənvˈinjəns/
fixed phrase
apologizing for minor trouble
A polite way to say you are sorry because something caused a small problem or extra effort for someone.
Examples
- Sorry for the inconvenience, but the elevator is out of service.
- The hotel wrote, "Sorry for the inconvenience" in their email about the pool closure.
- "Sorry for the inconvenience," the manager said as he offered a refund.
without undue inconvenience
1/wɪðˈaʊt ʌndˈu ˌɪŋkənvˈinjəns/
fixed phrase
formal
without unreasonable extra trouble
Used to say that something can or should be done without causing too much extra trouble for people.
Examples
- The work must be completed without undue inconvenience to local residents.
- We aim to carry out the repairs without undue inconvenience to passengers.
- The new rules should be applied without undue inconvenience for small businesses.