incapable of achieving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incapable of achieving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that lacks the ability or means to reach a specific goal or outcome. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team felt they were incapable of achieving the desired results within the given timeframe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

To Husserl, Dilthey's doctrine of worldviews was incapable of achieving the rigour required by genuine science.

Britannica

This proving-a-negative problem comes with an important corollary: Experimental science is also inherently incapable of achieving perfection.

MIT Technology Review

4) Cincinnati's play-off losing streak continues The Cincinnati Bengals appear to have one feat they seem incapable of achieving.

Independent

Even in the Bush administration, everybody seems to recognize that Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki is incapable of achieving a reconciliation.

The New York Times

"Without the support I have received I would have gone through life believing I was incapable of achieving anything," she says.

The Guardian

Mr. Vallas has said urban students, especially those from poor families, were being shortchanged in a system that implicitly believed they were incapable of achieving at higher levels.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

ATI cells are incapable of cell division, with epithelial repair achieved by proliferation of ATII cells and transdifferentiation of ATII cells into ATI cells.

Critical Care

Because of that dominance, he believes, "achieved art is quite incapable of lowering the spirits".

The New Yorker

Senescence is achieved if p53 is incapable of disabling mTOR.

Aging

He dismisses those who would question authority as incapable of appreciating how power can be used to achieve justice.

The New York Times

These are incapable of calculating accurate shear stresses on a ply level; usable results are however achieved by discretisation of the component with multiple elements over thickness.

Composites Part B: Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incapable of achieving", ensure that the subject's limitation is clearly defined and directly relevant to the intended outcome. This enhances clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "incapable of achieving" when the subject simply hasn't tried or isn't motivated. This phrase should reserve for situations where there's a genuine, inherent limitation, not just a lack of effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incapable of achieving" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a lack of ability or capacity to reach a certain outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "incapable of achieving" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a lack of ability or means to reach a particular goal. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias, suggesting its versatility. While alternatives like "unable to attain" or "not able to accomplish" exist, it's crucial to use the phrase when a genuine limitation exists, not merely a lack of effort. With a high expert rating and frequent appearance in authoritative sources, "incapable of achieving" remains a reliable way to convey impossibility or limitation in achieving desired outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to attain

Replaces "incapable" with "unable" and "achieving" with "attain", focusing on the lack of ability to reach a goal.

not able to accomplish

Substitutes "incapable" with "not able" and "achieving" with "accomplish", emphasizing the lack of capacity to complete something.

lacking the capacity to achieve

Specifically points out the absence of the necessary ability or power to accomplish something.

cannot reach

A simpler alternative, directly stating the inability to arrive at or achieve a specific point or objective.

deficient in achieving

Uses "deficient" to highlight a lack or shortage in the capacity to achieve.

without the means to achieve

Focuses on the lack of resources or methods needed for attainment.

falls short of achieving

Emphasizes the idea of not meeting a required standard or goal.

precluded from achieving

Indicates that something is preventing or making the achievement impossible.

doomed to fail in achieving

Highlights a negative prediction or certainty of not succeeding.

destined to not achieve

Similar to 'doomed', this implies a predetermined outcome of failure.

FAQs

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

You can use "incapable of achieving" to describe someone or something that lacks the ability or means to reach a specific goal. For example, "The old engine was "incapable of achieving" the required speed".

What are some alternatives to "incapable of achieving"?

Alternatives include "unable to attain", "not able to accomplish", or "cannot reach", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "incapable of achieving" instead of "unwilling to achieve"?

"Incapable of achieving" should be used when there is a lack of ability or capacity, whereas "unwilling to achieve" indicates a lack of motivation or desire. The former is about ability, the latter about willingness.

Is "incapable of achieving success" different from "incapable of achieving the goal"?

Yes, while both phrases express an inability, "incapable of achieving success" is broader and refers to a general lack of ability to succeed, whereas "incapable of achieving the goal" is more specific and refers to a particular objective.