incapable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "incapable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is not capable, or not able to do something. Example sentence: "John is incapable of completing the task on his own."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If you are not capable of being able to decipher between lobbying and fact, and if we are incapable of politicians to see both sides of the argument, then that's a fault that we have".

The Guardian

They concluded that his name could not be removed because, although he quoted the correct statute in his letter, Taylor did not specifically claim to be "incapable of fulfilling the duties of office".

The Guardian

And although in a rare pre-election interview with the Brazilian women's magazine Claudia, she said, "We [women] are not a bunch of melted-butter [softies], incapable of facing up to adversity.

The Guardian

What they fear is being wrongly dismissed as past it: out of step, technologically or culturally, with an office of bright young things and incapable of learning new tricks.

The Guardian - Opinion

I am literally incapable of hearing the title of Lionel Shriver's most famous novel – published a full two years before Pietersen had even made his international debut – without thinking of radio phone-ins about Kevin Pietersen.

The Guardian - Sport

"To those who are incapable of presenting the historic truth in an honest way, I want to say that Poland was not a perpetrator but a victim of world war two," the prime minister, Ewa Kopacz, said on Sunday.

The Guardian

The man informed me that everyone in the office was either fat or incapable of doing anything that does not involve a screen.

The Guardian

Despite caretakers appearing to be much more effective in building community trust than the installation of CCTV, gating and door entry systems, they are not acknowledged by SBD, which is a blunt instrument, incapable of adapting to complex unintended consequences.

The Guardian

In 2011, according to a now-declassified Fisa court ruling, the NSA was found to have collected tens of thousands of emails between Americans, which a judge on the court considered a violation of the US constitution and which the NSA says it is technologically incapable of fixing.

The Guardian

In his day he was lazy and improvident and was quite incapable of thinking about tomorrow.

The Guardian - Books

The opposition says Chávez should either be sworn in or declare himself incapable and call new elections.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incapable" to clearly convey a lack of ability, especially in formal contexts. For less formal situations, consider synonyms like "unable" or "not up to it."

Common error

Avoid using "incapable" when describing unwillingness rather than inability. "Incapable" suggests a genuine lack of capacity, whereas unwillingness implies a choice not to act.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "incapable" primarily functions as a descriptive term, indicating a lack of ability, capacity, or qualification. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate use in written English. The examples provided demonstrate its use in various contexts, highlighting its role in specifying limitations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Opinion

15%

Sport

9%

Less common in

Books

2%

Business

3%

Lifestyle

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "incapable" is a versatile adjective used to describe a lack of ability or capacity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used in written English. Its prevalence in news, opinion pieces, and sports articles suggests its applicability across diverse contexts. While synonyms like "unable" and "incompetent" exist, "incapable" provides a clear and formal way to express limitations. When using "incapable", ensure it accurately reflects a genuine lack of ability rather than unwillingness, and consider the context to choose the most appropriate synonym.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable

A direct synonym focusing on the lack of ability to perform a task.

incompetent

Suggests a lack of necessary skill or qualification.

not up to the task

An idiomatic phrase indicating inadequacy for a specific job.

lacking the capacity

Emphasizes a fundamental absence of the required aptitude.

powerless

Implies a lack of authority or control to achieve something.

unfit

Suggests a lack of suitability for a particular role or task.

ill-equipped

Suggests a lack of necessary resources or tools.

deficient

Highlights a lack of essential qualities or components.

out of one's depth

An idiomatic expression describing a situation beyond someone's abilities.

unqualified

Focuses on the lack of formal training or certification.

FAQs

How do you use "incapable" in a sentence?

You can use "incapable" to describe someone or something lacking the ability to perform a specific action or task. For example, "He is incapable of lying" or "The old car was incapable of reaching high speeds."

What are some synonyms for "incapable"?

Some synonyms for "incapable" include "unable", "incompetent", "powerless", and "unfit". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "incapable of" or "not capable of"?

"Incapable of" and "not capable of" are generally interchangeable, but "incapable of" often sounds more formal and direct. The choice depends on the desired tone and style of your writing.

What's the difference between "incapable" and "disabled"?

"Incapable" refers to a lack of ability to do something, while "disabled" typically refers to a physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities. While someone who is "disabled" might be "incapable" of certain actions, the terms are not interchangeable in all contexts.