financially incapable

USAGE SUMMARY

"financially incapable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone's inability to manage their finances due to a lack of financial means. For example: Due to her low income, she is financially incapable of buying a new car.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The Raptors were therefore financially incapable of providing Enron with the agreed-upon hedge, or protection against risks.

The New York Times

The main reasons behind tolerating or not reporting such abuse is that they are either financially incapable of going away and protecting themselves from their abusive husbands or they are not welcome by their poverty-stricken or stigmatised parental families.

Harvard University

These practices can result in a situation where recovery is either physically impossible or financially incapable (e.g., Gelfand et al. 2011).

Ecological Processes

Judges will still have discretion to set a cash bond, except in cases in which "he or she knows or has reason to believe that the defendant is financially incapable of meeting" the condition, according to a draft proposal of the rules.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Some institutions consider phones to be an essential part of daily living and had developed programs that give out phone services, as a form of aid, to people that have financially disadvantages or incapable of buying one for themselves.

WikiHow

The half-decade gap, Hopkinson says, was the result of a serious illness that rendered her incapable of working, financially destitute and ultimately homeless.

Los Angeles Times

Gas can be bought up to five years ahead, so pretending that suppliers are incapable of securing their supplies at more financially clement periods is misleading.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nope, he's just still carrying a torch, incapable of moving on with his life and resigned to watching over her financially.

Huffington Post

There was no bigger disaster I could think of than two financially irresponsible people floundering around while buried under shitty credit scores and eviction notices at the exact same time, incapable of providing themselves with support nevermind each other.

Vice

There was no bigger disaster I could think of than two financially irresponsible people floundering around while buried under shitty credit scores and eviction notices at the exact same time, incapable of providing themselves with support, never mind one another.

Vice

Why was he incapable?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "financially incapable" to clearly convey someone's lack of financial means prevents them from doing something, providing a direct and unambiguous explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "financially incapable" in very informal settings. Simpler terms like "can't afford" or "broke" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "financially incapable" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the state of lacking the financial means or ability to do something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is used correctly in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "financially incapable" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, although Ludwig AI identifies its frequency as rare. It's used to describe the state of lacking the necessary financial resources or ability to perform an action. While acceptable in many situations, it is more suited to neutral or formal contexts such as news reports, academic papers, and professional discussions. Alternative phrases like "unable to afford" or "financially strained" can provide similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis. When writing, be mindful of the audience and choose the most appropriate level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to afford

Directly states the lack of resources to purchase something.

lacking financial resources

A more descriptive and neutral alternative.

financially challenged

A more euphemistic way of saying someone has financial difficulties.

in a state of financial hardship

Focuses on the difficult circumstances caused by lack of money.

financially strained

Focuses on current financial difficulties, implying a temporary condition.

insolvent

Describes being unable to pay debts.

impoverished

Highlights a state of poverty or destitution.

penniless

Emphasizes a complete lack of money.

indigent

A formal term for lacking the means of subsistence.

broke

An informal term for having no money.

FAQs

How can I use "financially incapable" in a sentence?

You can use "financially incapable" to describe someone's inability to afford something or manage their finances, for example, "Due to her low income, she is financially incapable of buying a new car".

What's a less formal way to say "financially incapable"?

Less formal alternatives include "unable to afford", "can't afford", or simply "broke" depending on the context.

Is "financially incapable" the same as "financially irresponsible"?

No, "financially incapable" means lacking the means, while "financially irresponsible" suggests poor money management, regardless of income.

What are some synonyms for "financially incapable" that maintain a formal tone?

Formal synonyms include "lacking financial resources", "indigent", or "insolvent", each carrying slightly different connotations.