far from capable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far from capable" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone or something that lacks the ability or skill to perform a certain task or meet expectations. Example: Despite his high level of education, John was far from capable of managing the company's finances.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

However, AI is far from capable of monitoring and evaluating hate speech or false information.

The Washington Post

The 3D printers that are available to the general public are far from capable of printing in metal.

Independent

In the meantime his bowling improves by the match from the naive lad who simply hurled himself into the fray, and would not be far from capable of standing on its own right.

The Guardian - Sport

It is the lesson of Mr Modi's running of Gujarat, where he relied heavily on his civil service and got public-sector firms to flourish.But the bureaucracy is very far from capable.

The Economist

Processing surveillance footage is relatively easy for the software because the camera and hence the background in a scene is static; I2T is far from capable of recognizing the variety of objects or situations a human could.

MIT Technology Review

But what has become clear this past nine months is that Corbyn is far from capable of a smart slogan, let alone a brilliant well-timed idea.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The result is that the number of existing and planned infrastructures is far from being capable of satisfying the driver demand for secure and comfortable parking spaces.

Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review

Though proteomics has been improving rapidly, it is probably still far from being capable of exhaustively identifying proteins in plasma and urine.

Plosone

At this stage, the local temperature (where terminal bead is located) is still far from being capable of activating the thermo-sensitive nociceptors [31].

Plosone

4 However, many suspected malaria cases occur far from microscopy-capable health facilities.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Happiness is shown to be fleeting, never far from darkness, and capable of striking us at any point over very small things - becoming all the more precious on account of its fugitive nature.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "far from capable", ensure the context clearly specifies the area in which the subject lacks ability to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "far from capable" without specifying the area of deficiency. Instead of saying "He is far from capable", specify "He is far from capable of managing a large team."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far from capable" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates a state of lacking ability or competence in a particular area. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "far from capable" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a significant lack of ability or competence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for use in written English. While not exceptionally common, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media, followed by science and academic contexts. It's important to specify the area of deficiency when using "far from capable" to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "not at all able" or "nowhere near qualified" can be used depending on the desired level of emphasis or specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not at all able

Emphasizes the complete absence of ability, offering a slightly stronger tone.

nowhere near qualified

Specifically addresses qualifications, suitable when discussing suitability for a role or task.

ill-equipped

Highlights a lack of necessary resources or skills, implying a disadvantage.

not up to the task

Focuses on the inadequacy for a specific task, suggesting a potential failure.

incompetent

Directly states a lack of competence, carrying a more negative connotation.

deficient in skill

Emphasizes the absence of a particular skill that's needed.

wanting in ability

Highlights a deficiency in general ability, suggesting a fundamental lack.

not equal to

Indicates a mismatch between required abilities and existing ones.

lacking the talent

Suggests an inherent absence of natural aptitude or gift.

unable to

Simply states an inability, suitable for direct and straightforward communication.

FAQs

How can I use "far from capable" in a sentence?

You can use "far from capable" to express a lack of ability or skill in a particular area. For example, "Although he had years of experience, he was "far from capable" of handling the complex project".

What is a more formal alternative to "far from capable"?

A more formal alternative could be "lacking the requisite skills" or "deficient in competence", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "far from capable" and "not capable"?

"Far from capable" implies a greater distance from the required ability level compared to simply "not capable". The former emphasizes a significant deficiency.

When is it appropriate to use "far from capable" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize a noticeable lack of ability or competence, especially when expectations might suggest otherwise. The usage is grammatically correct and can be found in reliable sources.