incapacity to

USAGE SUMMARY

'incapacity to' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express an inability or lack of capacity to do something. For example: "The student's incapacity to study for the test resulted in a low grade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

His incapacity to express himself frightens him.

The New Yorker

Its incapacity to fight deters adventures overseas.

The Economist

Perhaps it's these attributes that explain your incapacity to succeed.

The New York Times

I maintain that it is the incapacity to love".

The New York Times

The sole defect lay in an incapacity to make the most of the mastery.

The Guardian - Sport

But it betrayed an incapacity to be open to change, which is fatal in fashion.

The New York Times

That is down to Christopher Pyne's complete incapacity to offer any guarantees that satisfied these states".

The Guardian

"What we see with the EU is its incapacity to get its act together.

The Guardian

Again, this was out of sheer embarrassment and momentary incapacity to think logically.

The Guardian - Money

I find that frightful: the incapacity to know what's round the corner".

The Guardian - Books

What's most notable about this drivel is von Trier's incapacity to achieve the kind of outrageous effect that he wants.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incapacity to", ensure the context clearly defines what specific action or ability is lacking. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

While "incapacity to" is grammatically sound, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "unable to" or "can't" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incapacity to" functions as a noun phrase followed by a preposition, typically acting as a subject complement or part of a prepositional phrase. It describes a lack of ability or capability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incapacity to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, to express a lack of ability or capability. It's particularly common in News & Media and Science contexts, lending itself to a formal tone. While there are many synonyms like "inability to" or "failure to", the choice depends on the specific nuance required. When writing, be mindful of the level of formality and avoid overusing it in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inability to

Replaces "incapacity" with "inability", a direct synonym, maintaining the same grammatical structure and meaning.

lack of ability to

Rephrases the concept using "lack of ability", emphasizing the absence of capability.

failure to

Focuses on the outcome of not being able to perform an action, rather than the inherent lack of capacity.

powerlessness to

Highlights the absence of power or control needed to perform an action.

disability to

Indicates a more permanent or significant impairment affecting the ability to perform an action.

deficiency in

Emphasizes a specific shortcoming or inadequacy that prevents someone from performing an action.

incompetence in

Suggests a lack of necessary skills or qualifications for a task.

unfitness for

Implies that someone or something is not suitable or prepared for a particular purpose or action.

helplessness in

Conveys a sense of being unable to act or assist, often due to external factors or limitations.

unpreparedness for

Highlights the state of not being ready or equipped to handle a specific situation or task.

FAQs

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

You can use "incapacity to" to describe a lack of ability or capability to perform a specific action. For example, "His incapacity to express himself frightened him."

What are some alternatives to "incapacity to"?

Alternatives include "inability to", "lack of ability to", or "failure to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "incapacity to" formal or informal?

"Incapacity to" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal contexts, using "unable to" may be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "inability to" and "incapacity to"?

While similar, "incapacity" often suggests a more inherent or fundamental lack of ability, whereas "inability" can refer to a temporary or circumstantial lack of ability. Consider also "lack of ability to".