almost incapable of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost incapable of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is nearly unable to perform a certain action or task. Example: "After the accident, he felt almost incapable of walking without assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

The food is almost incapable of being improved.

Independent

These parties are almost incapable of producing any significant reforms.

The Guardian - Opinion

She seems almost incapable of abstraction or fraudulence; she instinctively grabs for the reachably real.

The New Yorker

You won't understand any of this, and I'm almost incapable of explaining it to you.

The New Yorker

Congress has conceded in the past that it is almost incapable of closing down anything.

The New York Times

He's nice enough, but weak and lazy and almost incapable of making a decision.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Speaking to the BBC, he said: "There is another concern and risk: the migration issue, in meltdown around the EU, with the EU almost incapable, it seems, of handling this massive wave of migration coming in from, not just by the way Syria.

The Guardian

I suggest that men committed to collectivism and social engineering in domestic affairs are ill-equipped for indeed, almost incapable of combatting the disease of world-wide collectivist slavery as exemplified by international communism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Giants proved almost equally incapable of gaining ground.

The New York Times - Sports

Primitive hominids were almost certainly incapable of sailing.

The Guardian

But he is competent and, vitally, he appears almost genetically incapable of overstating a case.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "almost incapable of", ensure the context provides a clear understanding of the specific limitation or inability being referenced. For instance, instead of saying "He was almost incapable of functioning", specify "He was "almost incapable of" functioning without sleep."

Common error

Avoid using "almost incapable of" when the subject is completely unable. Using more accurate terms like "completely unable" or "entirely incapable" will enhance clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost incapable of" functions as a qualifying adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a near-complete lack of ability. It is used to describe situations where someone or something is severely limited in their capacity to perform a specific action. Ludwig shows several examples in News & Media.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost incapable of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a state of near-inability. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is particularly frequent in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While versatile, precise language use is paramount to avoid overstating the level of inability. Related phrases such as "nearly unable to" or "practically incapable of" can provide subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly unable to

Emphasizes the proximity to being completely unable.

practically incapable of

Highlights the realistic or practical limitations.

virtually unable to

Indicates that the inability is so close to complete that it's 'as good as' unable.

borderline incapable of

Suggests the inability is near the threshold of complete incapability.

almost powerless to

Focuses on the lack of power or agency to perform an action.

largely unable to

Indicates a significant degree of inability, though not total.

mostly incapable of

Implies that inability is present in most cases or situations.

hardly capable of

Highlights the severe difficulty or low likelihood of being able to do something.

scarcely able to

Emphasizes the rarity or infrequency of being able to do something.

as good as unable to

Stresses the functional equivalence to a state of complete inability.

FAQs

How can I use "almost incapable of" in a sentence?

You can use "almost incapable of" to describe a state where someone or something is nearing inability to perform an action. For example, "After the injury, he was "almost incapable of" walking".

What are some alternatives to "almost incapable of"?

Alternatives include "nearly unable to", "practically incapable of", or "virtually unable to", depending on the nuances you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "almost incapable to" instead of "almost incapable of"?

No, the correct phrasing is "almost incapable of". The preposition "of" is required after "incapable" when describing what someone is unable to do.

What's the difference between "almost incapable of" and "completely incapable of"?

"Almost incapable of" indicates a high degree of difficulty or limitation, but not a total inability. "Completely incapable of", on the other hand, means there is absolutely no ability to perform the action.