incompatible

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "incompatible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word to describe two things that cannot work together or two people who cannot get along. For example, "The two software programs were incompatible, so they could not be used together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: Great Barrier Reef shouldn't be on 'in danger' list for now, says Unesco In a report released on Saturday, the committee says it "has repeatedly reiterated its position that mineral exploration and exploitation is incompatible with world heritage status".

The Guardian

The idea we have got to consume less is incompatible with the culture of the moment".

The Guardian

It has taken on the character of an existential battle between two incompatible worldviews.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It looks like a stalling mechanism to get large shareholders on board but from a grass roots level commitments to tackling climate change and continuing with tar sands are incompatible".

The Guardian

Crucially, Abbott's "enemies" have failed to come to terms with the characteristics of the new global phase of capitalism: that capitalism and democracy are becoming increasingly incompatible and business wants to completely free itself from democratic regulation.

The Guardian - Opinion

According to an analysis by a divinity professor and an education specialist known for designing courses on "traditional morality", the photographs showed an "immoral transgression incompatible with conducting educational functions".

The Guardian

Sooner or later, Tsipras has to decide what he wants to do: continue with a populist approach that is incompatible with euro membership or return reluctantly to the policies that have been pursued by the centre-left and centre-right governments since the crisis erupted.

The Guardian - Business

"We will not engage in it again," he will say, because it is "incompatible" with a new commitment to pay tax.

The Guardian - Business

– It is difficult to conceive why they should select a situation apparently so ineligible, and so incompatible with their usual shy and cautious habits, as the centre of a large town; but we hope they will not be molested, and that they will have no cause to repent the confidence they have thus reposed in mankind.

The Guardian

He said during a White House briefing: "It's also incompatible with Russian assurances that they do not want Mr Snowden to further damage US interests".

The Guardian

Luker and three other former opponents of the bill voted in favor of it on Monday, after it had been amended to say that the state could not enforce any orders incompatible with Idaho law.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incompatible", clearly specify what two or more things are not able to coexist or function together. This provides context and clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "incompatible" when "different" or "unconventional" is more accurate. "Incompatible" suggests a fundamental inability to work together, not just a deviation from the norm.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "incompatible" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that cannot coexist or function harmoniously with something else. As confirmed by Ludwig, the word is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incompatible" functions as an adjective indicating a lack of harmonious coexistence or functional suitability. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts. Its register ranges from neutral to formal, commonly appearing in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science publications. When using "incompatible", ensure that you specify what is unable to coexist or function together. Avoid using it when a weaker term like "different" would be more accurate. Related terms include "irreconcilable", "unsuited", and "mismatched". Given its high frequency and broad applicability, "incompatible" is a valuable word to have in your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irreconcilable

Highlights the impossibility of resolving differences or conflicts.

unsuited

Emphasizes a lack of fitness or appropriateness for a particular purpose or situation.

mismatched

Focuses on the lack of correspondence or suitability between two or more things.

conflicting

Suggests active opposition or disagreement between entities.

antagonistic

Implies active hostility or opposition, rather than simple lack of compatibility.

discordant

Highlights a lack of harmony or agreement, often in a musical or aesthetic sense.

unharmonious

Indicates a lack of agreement or pleasing combination.

incongruous

Stresses the inappropriateness or absurdity of combining dissimilar elements.

unmixable

Focuses on the physical or chemical inability to combine or blend.

at odds

Suggests disagreement or conflict, particularly between people or ideas.

FAQs

How can I use "incompatible" in a sentence?

You can use "incompatible" to describe things that cannot coexist or work together, such as "The two software programs are "incompatible"" or "Their personalities were "incompatible"".

What are some alternatives to the word "incompatible"?

Alternatives include "irreconcilable", "unsuited", or "mismatched", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something is "highly incompatible"?

Yes, you can use adverbs like "highly" to modify "incompatible" to emphasize the degree of incompatibility. For example, "The two systems were highly "incompatible"".

What's the difference between "incompatible" and "inconsistent"?

"Incompatible" means unable to exist together or work together, while "inconsistent" means not staying the same throughout. While they can sometimes overlap, "incompatible" focuses on the inability to coexist, and "inconsistent" focuses on a lack of uniformity.