incapability

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "incapability" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it any time you need to express the idea of something being unable to perform a certain action or task. Example sentence: John's incapability of working without supervision led to him being replaced.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Her letter - which also did not directly declare an incapability for holding office - was delivered to Kobach's office on the very same day as Taylor's.

The Guardian

Instead of thinking of poverty as based on an inadequate income or consumption we should think of it as the incapability to live a life of one's own choosing (to paraphrase Amartya Sen).

The Economist

The result was an immense reduction in both development and production of Russian airliners and an utter incapability to compete with Western airliner builders.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It's not up to fans really to make statements about management decisions but it does show the incapability of the club's owners, even after two years, repeating the same mistakes.

Independent

That's not exactly what the chapter is about, though — more like about the operational incapability of the C.I.A. Risen reports on operation Merlin, a special-access program in which the plan was to get a Russian nuclear scientist to pass blueprints for a nuclear weapons component to Iranians — blueprints that would contain a hidden flaw.

The New Yorker

"The government's complete immobility, deafness and incapability to understand reality and act accordingly was very scary".

The New York Times

"It's another case showing the politicization of the justice system in Mexico and the incapability of having due process," he said.

The New York Times

"The central idea pervading this struggle," Lincoln said in 1861, "is the necessity … of proving that popular government is not an absurdity," for "if we fail it will go far to prove the incapability of the people to govern themselves".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"History" she says, "is a commentary on the various and continuing incapabilities of men".

The Guardian

Dorothy belatedly has her say when she observes with an amused exasperation: "History is a commentary on the various and continuing incapabilities of men.

The New York Times

Our house has one step, no columns, five rooms, and a 30ft garden designed by Incapability Wollaston.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incapability" to specifically denote a lack of inherent capacity or potential, rather than a temporary inability due to circumstances. For example, use it to describe a fundamental flaw or limitation.

Common error

Avoid using "incapability" when you actually mean an inconvenience or a temporary obstacle. "Incapability" implies a more profound and permanent lack of ability, not just a current difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "incapability" is as a noun. It refers to the state or condition of being incapable, denoting a lack of ability or capacity. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, such as describing the "incapability" of a government or a person.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incapability" is a grammatically sound noun used to describe a state of lacking ability or capacity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples of its usage in diverse contexts, mainly in News & Media and Science. While "incapability" and ""inability"" are often interchangeable, "incapability" suggests a more fundamental and inherent deficiency. When writing, ensure you are accurately conveying a lack of inherent potential rather than a temporary inconvenience, and avoid confusing it with similar but distinct terms like "incompetence". This guide offers best practices and highlights common errors to help you use "incapability" with precision and confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inability

A general term for not being able to do something.

lack of ability

Focuses on the absence of a specific skill or talent.

incompetence

Suggests a lack of the necessary skills or knowledge to perform a task adequately.

lack of capacity

Emphasizes the absence of the necessary resources or space to do something.

ineptitude

Implies clumsiness or a lack of skill in performing a task.

deficiency

Highlights a shortcoming or a lack of something essential.

unfitness

Indicates a lack of the necessary qualifications or condition for something.

disqualification

Refers to being declared unfit or ineligible for something.

helplessness

Highlights a state of being unable to help oneself or others.

failure

A broad term for not succeeding in achieving a goal or task.

FAQs

How to use "incapability" in a sentence?

You can use "incapability" to describe a fundamental lack of ability. For example: "The project failed due to the team's "inability" to meet deadlines and the leader's "lack of leadership".

What can I say instead of "incapability"?

You can use alternatives like ""inability"", "lack of ability", or "incompetence" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "incapability" or "inability"?

"Incapability" and ""inability"" are both correct, but ""inability"" is more commonly used. "Incapability" often implies a more fundamental or inherent lack of capacity.

What's the difference between "incapability" and "incompetence"?

"Incapability" refers to the general state of being unable to do something, while "incompetence" suggests a lack of specific skills or knowledge required to perform a task adequately.