incapacity of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incapacity of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being unable to perform a function or task, often in legal or medical contexts. Example: "The incapacity of the individual to make decisions led to the appointment of a guardian."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once again, a reason was given, the incapacity of the defeated sister.

The New York Times - Sports

The cost of Hamlet's infinite self-reflexivity is incapacity of action.

The New York Times

Still, the spectre of Rankin weeping remains, proof for many of the "feminine incapacity of straight reasoning".

The New Yorker

"But the nurses suffered for years from the incapacity of diplomacy and politics to free them in a timely manner".

The New York Times

But perhaps the real scandal is the incapacity of political parties "to govern despite all their benefits," he said.

The New York Times

"And that peace deficit represents the incapacity of the international community firstly to prevent conflicts and secondly, to find solutions to those conflicts".

The Guardian

Dr. Wilber reserves his most withering asides for the agency's local allies, referring to "the recognized incapacity of Iranians to plan or act in a thoroughly logical manner".

The New York Times

On the other hand, Steiner also speaks of the "sheer incapacity of the 'normal' mind to imagine and hence give active belief to the enormities of the circumstance".

The Guardian - Books

More and more people feel the gap between the profligate promises of individual freedom and sovereignty, and the incapacity of their political and economic organisations to realise them.

The Guardian - Books

Much of Houellebecq's barely concealed rage is directed towards the incapacity of those in the ivory towers to deal with the big questions: religion, sex and death.

The Guardian - Books

In many countries the incapacity of the civil service was a factor leading to military rule, as were the political failings of the elected leaders.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incapacity of", ensure the context clearly specifies what the subject is incapable of doing. For example, instead of "the incapacity of the system", specify "the incapacity of the system to handle peak traffic".

Common error

Avoid using "incapacity of" in overly general terms without specifying the area of incapacity. This can make your writing vague and less impactful. Instead, be precise and identify the specific limitation or inability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incapacity of" functions as a noun phrase often followed by a noun or gerund, indicating a lack of ability or qualification. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, highlighting the state of being incapable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incapacity of" is a versatile expression used to denote a lack of ability or capability, as validated by Ludwig. It's prevalent in scientific, news, and formal business contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject's limitation. Alternatives like "inability to" or "lack of capacity for" can be used depending on the desired nuance. While grammatically correct, avoid overly general use to maintain precision in your writing. The high frequency and consistent usage across authoritative sources confirm its reliability in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inability to

Focuses on the general lack of ability rather than the specific state of being incapacitated.

lack of capacity for

Emphasizes the absence of the inherent potential or capability.

incompetence in

Highlights a lack of the necessary skill or knowledge.

deficiency in

Suggests a lack of something essential or necessary.

failure to

Focuses on the act of not succeeding or fulfilling a requirement.

powerlessness to

Indicates a lack of authority or influence to act.

helplessness regarding

Emphasizes the inability to assist or protect oneself or others.

disablement from

Highlights a condition that restricts physical or mental abilities.

ineptitude at

Focuses on awkwardness or lack of skill in performing a task.

disqualification from

Implies being ineligible or unfit for a particular role or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "incapacity of" in a sentence?

You can use "incapacity of" to describe a state of being unable to perform a specific action or fulfill a role. For example, "The "incapacity of" the government to address the crisis led to widespread discontent".

What is a good alternative to "incapacity of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "inability to", "lack of capacity for", or "incompetence in".

Is there a subtle difference in meaning between "incapacity of" and "inability to"?

While similar, "incapacity of" often suggests a more fundamental or inherent lack of ability, whereas "inability to" might imply a temporary or circumstantial limitation.

Which is more formal, "incapacity of" or "inability to"?

"Incapacity of" tends to be slightly more formal and is often used in legal, medical, or official contexts, while "inability to" is more common in everyday language.