incapacity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "incapacity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a lack of ability, physical or mental, to do something. For example, "His long-term illness meant that he was facing increasing incapacity and was unable to work".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After Thatcher toppled him, his incapacity to do or say the right thing verged on high comedy.

The Guardian

The cuts proposed by officials at the Department for Work and Pensions include abolishing statutory maternity pay and barring under-25s from claiming incapacity benefit or housing benefit.

The Guardian

An inquest found last month that Harris, 53, of Bristol, who was partially sighted, took her own life after months of constant pain and following a "fit for work" ruling that replaced her incapacity benefit with jobseeker's allowance.

The Guardian

A document dated in late July said the disability minister discussed possible changes to incapacity benefits and gave a clear steer to civil servants on the importance of freezing or uprating benefit rates below inflation as a way of controlling costs.

The Guardian

Barring under-25s from claiming incapacity benefit or housing benefit.

The Guardian

Or love of the language and its literature (and, if so, is that devalued by a more internationalist attitude to art forms that don't bump up against the English incapacity to speak foreign languages)?

The Guardian - Opinion

Atos Healthcare tests around 11,000 incapacity benefit claimants a week, using the work capability assessment.

The Guardian - Sport

As I've written before, it was he who began righting the Thatcher-era wrong of pushing people on to incapacity benefit to shorten the official unemployment rolls.

The Guardian - Opinion

Recent Tory claims that they have a strong track record on cutting social security over the past five years are undermined by the documents, which point out that coalition changes failed to meet promises to limit spending on three of the costliest cap items: incapacity benefit, disability benefit and housing benefit.

The Guardian

Reform the controversial work capability assessment "fit for work" test for ill and disabled people on incapacity benefit.

The Guardian

Every supposed coup is now explained by a leader's minor orthopaedic problem, and, when rumours swirl around the reasons for that leader's incapacity, malcontents take to Twitter rather than to the streets.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "incapacity" with specific adjectives to provide a clearer understanding. Use "mental incapacity", "physical incapacity", or "legal incapacity" to specify the type of limitation.

Common error

Avoid using "incompetence" when "incapacity" is more appropriate. "Incapacity" refers to a state of lacking legal or physical ability, whereas "incompetence" suggests a general lack of skill or knowledge. Use "incapacity" to describe a state of being unable to perform a task due to legal or physical limitations, and use "incompetence" to describe a lack of skill.

Linguistic Context

The word "incapacity" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the state of being unable or lacking the capacity to do something. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage across various contexts, showcasing its role in describing a lack of ability or competence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incapacity" is a noun used to describe a state of lacking ability or legal competence. As Ludwig highlights, it appears frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, and is considered grammatically correct. When writing, remember to distinguish it from "incompetence", focusing on its use in describing a specific state of lacking ability. The suggestions of Ludwig AI, together with the authoritative sources identified, ensure a confident and precise use of "incapacity".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incapability

A synonym for "incapacity", focusing on the absence of capacity.

inability

A general term for not being able to do something.

lack of ability

Focuses on the absence of a specific skill or competence.

lack of competence

Emphasizes a deficiency in required skills or knowledge.

deficiency

Highlights a lack or shortage of something essential.

incompetence

Highlights a general lack of skill or effectiveness.

disability

Refers specifically to a physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities.

unfitness

Suggests a lack of suitability or qualification for a particular task or role.

powerlessness

Emphasizes the lack of control or influence.

helplessness

Conveys a sense of being unable to help oneself or others.

FAQs

How is "incapacity" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "incapacity" typically refers to the lack of legal ability to manage one's affairs or make decisions. This might be due to age, mental illness, or other factors. A finding of legal incapacity often leads to the appointment of a guardian or conservator.

What are some synonyms for "incapacity"?

Synonyms for "incapacity" include "inability", "lack of ability", "disability", and "incapability". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "incapacity" and "disability"?

"Incapacity" generally refers to a lack of legal, physical, or mental ability to perform a specific task or function. "Disability", on the other hand, typically refers to a physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities. While there can be overlap, "disability" is often broader and may not always result in "incapacity".

How does "incapacity benefit" work?

"Incapacity benefit" (often replaced by newer schemes like Employment and Support Allowance) is a government payment for people who are unable to work due to illness or disability. Eligibility usually requires a medical assessment to confirm the claimant's incapacity.