incapable of working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incapable of working" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is unable to perform tasks or functions effectively. Example: "After the accident, he was left incapable of working for several months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

"People aren't genetically incapable of working".

The New York Times

Back then, many actors routinely started drinking in the morning and were incapable of working after lunchtime.

The New York Times - Books

Unfortunately, although alcoholism or drug addiction make people incapable of working, they do not qualify them for public assistance.

The Economist

This became especially wrenching when it came to children and the elderly, who were incapable of working.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This year, after three decades of employment, she was judged incapable of working, and granted benefits of £155 a week.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"He is a sort of Garibaldi, utterly unsuited to government work, incapable of working, reasoning and hard thinking.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Incapacity Benefit, for example, is meant to be paid only to people incapable of work.

The Economist

If the WCA deems you incapable of work, you're parked in the support group.

The Guardian - Opinion

Employers don't always realise that a mental health problem does not make someone incapable of work, he says.

The Guardian

Once they were judged incapable of work, most were killed with a phenol injection to the heart.

The Guardian

Because she is deaf, those around her thought Ms. Bustamante was incapable of work, and they did not see a need to educate her.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's inability to work, specify the reason or condition causing the incapability to provide more context and clarity. For example, instead of just saying "He is incapable of working", you could say "He is incapable of working due to a severe back injury."

Common error

Avoid using "incapable of working" as a broad label without supporting details. Instead, provide specific reasons for the inability to work, such as medical conditions or lack of required skills. Vague statements can be perceived as insensitive or dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incapable of working" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being unable to perform work. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where the phrase describes individuals or entities limited in their ability to work.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incapable of working" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe someone's inability to perform work. Ludwig AI confirms this, and it is important to use it with clear context, specifying the reasons behind the incapability. While synonyms like "unable to work" offer simpler alternatives, "incapable of working" serves well in neutral to slightly formal contexts. Remember to provide specific details rather than overgeneralizing, ensuring clarity and sensitivity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to work

Direct synonym, replacing "incapable of" with "unable to" for simpler phrasing.

unfit for employment

Focuses on the lack of suitability for a job, implying a formal assessment.

not able to function professionally

Emphasizes the inability to perform job-related duties effectively.

debarred from working

Highlights a legal or formal restriction preventing someone from working.

unable to hold a job

Focuses on the difficulty in maintaining employment over time.

out of commission

Suggests a temporary or permanent state of being unable to perform duties, often due to injury or illness.

not in working order

Commonly used for machinery, but can metaphorically apply to a person's inability to work.

occupationally disabled

A more formal and clinical term indicating a disability that prevents work.

unemployable

Indicates a lack of qualifications or skills needed for employment.

permanently disabled

Highlights a long-term or irreversible inability to work due to a disability.

FAQs

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

You can use "incapable of working" to describe someone or something that cannot perform work-related tasks or functions effectively. For instance, "After the injury, she was "incapable of working" for several months" or "The old machine was "incapable of working" efficiently".

What are some alternatives to "incapable of working"?

Alternatives include "unable to work", "unfit for employment", or "not able to function professionally", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "unable to work" or "incapable of working"?

Both "unable to work" and "incapable of working" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Unable to work" is generally considered simpler and more direct, while "incapable of working" may sound more formal.

What conditions might make someone "incapable of working"?

Various conditions can render someone "incapable of working", including severe physical injuries, chronic illnesses, mental health conditions, or disabilities that significantly limit their ability to perform job-related tasks.