incapable of supporting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incapable of supporting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lacks the ability or capacity to provide support, whether physical, emotional, or financial. Example: "The old bridge was deemed incapable of supporting the weight of modern vehicles."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

These are incapable of supporting life-as-we-know-it.

The Economist

We could begin by destroying the planet's atmosphere, making it incapable of supporting human life.

The New York Times - Books

Instead, the Viking mission found a cold, desert planet that came to be seen as virtually incapable of supporting life.

The Washington Post

Too often, Sitwell's early poetry follows the accident of a rhyme on to a planet incapable of supporting life.

The Guardian - Books

The M766D mutation renders the enzyme incapable of supporting the temperature-sensitive strain at a non-permissive temperature.

Journal of Molecular Biology

Substitutions of Glu1.35 by Asp, Gln or Arg were incapable of supporting wild-type OTR agonist binding or signaling.

Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

In a nation where the term "family values" has virtually become a bell weather gage for one's political affinities, the value of such values seems incapable of support without the implication of conservative or right wing political leanings.

Huffington Post

The first U.S. governor reported in 1917 that the islands were incapable of self-support.

Britannica

If the employer was paying the premiums for the insurance policy the employer will continue to pay the premiums while the child is covered as a child incapable of self-support because of a disability.

Stanford University

Incapable of financial support, Buenos Aires sent lawyer Manuel Aguirre to the United States, to request aid and acknowledge the declaration of independence.

Wikipedia

Jeta didn't know anyone in Tirana that could help her and her family was poor and incapable of providing support.

UNICEF

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts, use "incapable of supporting" to highlight a fundamental lack of ability or capacity. For example: "The existing economic model is incapable of supporting long-term growth."

Common error

Avoid using "incapable of supporting" when a system or entity is merely struggling or facing challenges, but still provides some level of support. "Incapable" implies a complete absence of support, not simply inadequate or strained support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incapable of supporting" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating a lack of ability or capacity to provide assistance, maintenance, or sustenance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "incapable of supporting" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote a lack of ability or capacity to provide support. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its versatility spans across diverse contexts, primarily in scientific, news, and academic domains. While alternatives like "unable to sustain" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of formality. Remember to use this phrase when there's a complete absence of support, not merely an inadequacy. With a high expert rating and numerous real-world examples, this analysis aims to provide clarity on the effective utilization of this common phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to sustain

This alternative uses 'unable' instead of 'incapable', providing a more direct synonym and replaces 'supporting' with 'sustaining'.

not able to support

This option uses a simpler and more direct phrasing, replacing 'incapable' with 'not able'.

lacking the capacity to support

This version emphasizes the absence of the necessary capacity, making it more formal and descriptive.

cannot uphold

This phrase uses 'uphold' to emphasize the aspect of maintaining or defending, which is slightly different from directly 'supporting'.

unfit to maintain

The alternative highlights a lack of suitability for 'maintaining' something rather than directly 'supporting' it.

deficient in providing support

This alternative uses 'deficient' to indicate a lack or shortage in the ability to 'provide support'.

powerless to assist

This option shifts the focus to a lack of power or agency in offering assistance rather than direct support.

inadequate for sustenance

This phrase focuses on the lack of ability to provide sustenance, highlighting a specific type of support.

unqualified to prop up

This alternative introduces 'unqualified' and uses the phrasal verb 'prop up', implying a more active form of support that prevents something from collapsing.

ill-equipped to bear

This suggests a lack of necessary equipment or resources to 'bear' a burden or responsibility, related to providing support.

FAQs

What does "incapable of supporting" mean?

The phrase "incapable of supporting" means lacking the ability, resources, or qualities necessary to provide assistance, maintenance, or sustenance to something or someone. It suggests a fundamental inability to uphold or sustain a particular function or entity.

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

You can use "incapable of supporting" to describe anything that cannot provide necessary assistance or maintenance. For example: "The infrastructure is "inadequate for" the population's needs", or "The old bridge was deemed "unsafe for" heavy traffic.

What are some alternatives to "incapable of supporting"?

Some alternatives include "unable to sustain", "not able to support", "unfit to maintain", or "lacking the capacity to support". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "incapable of supporting" or "unable to support"?

Both "incapable of supporting" and "unable to support" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Incapable" might sound slightly more formal or technical, while "unable" is more common in everyday language. The choice depends on the desired tone and audience.