incapable of identifying

USAGE SUMMARY

"incapable of identifying" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to express that someone or something does not have the knowledge or ability to recognize or find out something. For example, "The security guard was incapable of identifying the intruder."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Most DNA sequencing methods are also generally incapable of identifying chemically modified bases arising from DNA damage.

Trends in Biotechnology

Till date, BPOFs have been considered to be the simplest of all filters and incapable of identifying distorted images or images of different spectral bands like the visible or infrared (IR) bands.

Optics & Laser Technology

You find that good clients take an interest and get themselves involved at every stage of the process.' In particular, he warns that clients have to do their own 'legwork' in terms of detailed budgeting: 'A lot of people seem incapable of identifying how much they want to pay.

The Guardian - Money

Yet in his own unique battle to rouse something acceptable from this side, Smith fights not only the inheritance of a diminished and skittish line-up, as Border did, but a less robust domestic cricket culture and a selection team seemingly incapable of identifying long-term batting prospects at the right time.

The Guardian - Sport

The same kind of tech could also help with visual agnosia, a disorder resulting from strokes that can render a patient incapable of identifying everyday objects.

TechCrunch

Some argue that liberal feminism's commitment to moral individualism and ideal theory renders it incapable of identifying and criticizing the oppression of women (Schwarzman 2010).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Overall, this tag-SNP data revealed only marginal association and is incapable of directly identifying the specific mutations that contribute to disease.

Plosone

The lack of diagnostic measures rendered us incapable of positively identifying alcohol abusers among the index persons.

BMC Public Health

However, the available analytical techniques are incapable to identify the detailed molecular level of heavy feedstocks [9].

Applied Petrochemical Research

What made efforts to stem the disease especially difficult at the time was that scientists then were incapable of seeing or identifying a virus — this one or any other.

The New York Times

In the first few pages, she writes a wonderful summation of the male psyche: "The male is completely egocentric, trapped inside himself, incapable of empathizing or identifying with others, or love, friendship, affection or tenderness… he is a half-dead, unresponsive lump, incapable of giving or receiving pleasure or happiness".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to indicate a fundamental limitation or lack of capacity, rather than a temporary or circumstantial inability.

Common error

Avoid using "incapable of identifying" when a temporary or circumstantial inability is more accurate. For instance, if a device is temporarily malfunctioning, "unable to identify" might be a better fit than "incapable of identifying,"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incapable of identifying" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its inability to recognize or ascertain something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incapable of identifying" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote an inability to recognize or ascertain something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in science and news contexts, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register. While alternatives like "unable to identify" or "cannot identify" exist, choosing the best option depends on the specific nuance you intend to convey. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the object of identification is clearly specified.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to identify

Direct synonym, replacing "incapable" with "unable" for a slightly different tone.

cannot identify

Uses "cannot" for a more definitive statement of inability.

lacking the ability to identify

More verbose, emphasizing the absence of the necessary skill.

without the capacity to identify

Focuses on the absence of inherent capacity.

incompetent to identify

Highlights a lack of competence in the task.

deficient in identifying

Emphasizes a deficiency in the specific skill of identifying.

unqualified to identify

Suggests a lack of the necessary qualifications or expertise.

not able to recognize

Shifts focus to recognition as a component of identifying.

fails to identify

Active phrasing, indicating a failure in the process of identifying.

struggles to identify

Highlights the difficulty experienced in identifying.

FAQs

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

You can use "incapable of identifying" to describe a person, system, or process that lacks the ability to recognize or determine something, as in, "The software was "incapable of identifying" the new virus variant".

What are some alternatives to "incapable of identifying"?

Some alternatives include "unable to identify", "cannot identify", or "lacking the ability to identify", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "incapable of identifying" or "unable to identify"?

Both "incapable of identifying" and "unable to identify" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Incapable" suggests a more fundamental or inherent lack of ability, while "unable" can imply a temporary or situational limitation.

What's the difference between "incapable of identifying" and "fails to identify"?

"Incapable of identifying" indicates a lack of ability, while "fails to identify" suggests that an attempt was made but was unsuccessful. The former describes a state, the latter describes an event.