incapable of giving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incapable of giving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is unable to provide or offer something, often in a context of limitations or restrictions. Example: "Due to the circumstances, she felt incapable of giving her full attention to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mugabe, however, seems incapable of giving up.

The New Yorker

enFeLV are incapable of giving rise to infectious virus particles.

Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology

They are also, unlike alcohol, incapable of giving pleasure.

The New Yorker

The socialism created a collectivised economy incapable of giving out the normal economic signals.

The Economist

A jury of Indians, well — they're incapable of giving a white man a fair trial.

The New York Times

And the fact that he was constitutionally incapable of giving a decent speech.

The New York Times

Mr. Freeman shows himself, once again, incapable of giving a bad performance.

The New York Times

He's psychologically incapable of giving in to Fehr and making a reasonable deal".

The New York Times - Sports

Horribly, persistently, they have a vision that they are incapable of giving up.

The New York Times - Books

"She was incapable of giving it any less than 105percentt.

The New York Times

Mr. Saleh wasn't the only person incapable of giving directions to the Alley.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incapable of giving", ensure the context clearly specifies what is being withheld. Providing this clarity strengthens the sentence's impact and reduces ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "incapable of giving" in excessively generalized ways. Be specific about the context and what exactly cannot be given to avoid vagueness. Instead of saying "He was incapable of giving", clarify what he couldn't offer, such as "He was incapable of giving emotional support".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incapable of giving" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes a subject's inherent inability or lack of capacity to provide something. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which indicates the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incapable of giving" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to denote a fundamental inability to provide something, whether tangible or intangible. As affirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for formal and neutral contexts. When employing "incapable of giving", specificity enhances clarity, and generalizations should be avoided. While alternatives like "unable to provide" and "not able to offer" exist, the choice depends on the nuanced meaning desired. Its prevalence in news, scientific, and academic sources underscores its versatility and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to provide

Focuses on the inability to supply or furnish something, often tangible.

not able to offer

Emphasizes the lack of opportunity or means to present something.

without the capacity to grant

Highlights a formal lack of power or authority to bestow something.

lacking the means to supply

Stresses the absence of resources or instruments needed to furnish something.

in no position to contribute

Indicates that someone's circumstances prevent them from adding or donating something.

unfit to impart

Highlights someone or something not suitable or qualified to communicate knowledge or a quality.

deficient in providing

Underscores a lack or shortage in the act of giving or supplying.

unable to render

Focuses on a lack of ability to provide a service or assistance.

incapable of bestowing

Emphasizes the lack of ability to formally or ceremoniously give something.

not equipped to furnish

Focuses on the absence of necessary resources or preparation to provide something.

FAQs

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

You can use "incapable of giving" to describe someone or something lacking the ability to provide something. For example, "The old machine was incapable of giving accurate readings" or "He was so consumed by his own problems that he was incapable of giving support to others."

What are some alternatives to "incapable of giving"?

Alternatives include "unable to provide", "not able to offer", or "lacking the means to supply". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "incapable of giving" or "unable to give"?

Both "incapable of giving" and "unable to give" are grammatically correct. "Incapable" often implies a more inherent or fundamental lack of ability, while "unable" can refer to a temporary or situational constraint. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "incapable of giving"?

It's appropriate when describing a fundamental or inherent inability to provide something, whether it's a physical object, emotional support, or a particular quality. For example, "A broken printer is incapable of giving clear output" or "Someone with severe depression may be incapable of giving affection".