incompatible with

USAGE SUMMARY

"incompatible with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing two things or ideas that cannot co-exist in a certain context. Example: His desire for a traditional lifestyle was incompatible with her need for freedom and adventure.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Activism proved incompatible with Folsomism.

The New Yorker

Dignity should not be incompatible with opportunity.

The New York Times

"Peace is incompatible with terrorism," they said.

The Economist

"But improvisation is incompatible with modern bureaucracy".

The New York Times

Homosexuality is incompatible with the priestly vocation.

The New York Times

Melancholy is incompatible with cycling.

The Guardian

Is Starbucks incompatible with protest?

The Guardian - Opinion

Recreation is not incompatible with strict adherence.

The New York Times

That is somehow incompatible with Sept. 11.

The New York Times

It's just incompatible with the 21st century.

The New York Times

This, however, would be incompatible with capitalism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incompatible with", ensure that the two concepts you're comparing are clearly defined and that the reason for their incompatibility is evident to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "incompatible with" when the relationship between the two elements is unclear. Ensure that the incompatibility is logical and supported by evidence or reasoning, not just a subjective feeling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incompatible with" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase expressing incompatibility or a lack of harmony between two entities. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase is widely used to denote things that cannot coexist or function together effectively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

31%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incompatible with" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to express a lack of harmony or the inability of two or more things to coexist effectively. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using "incompatible with", ensure that the relationship and reason for incompatibility are clear. Consider alternatives such as "in conflict with" or "at odds with" to nuance the meaning. Avoiding vague contexts will enhance clarity. This phrase effectively communicates fundamental conflicts or contradictions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot coexist with

Focuses on the inability of two things to exist together.

mutually exclusive with

Indicates that the presence of one thing prevents the presence of the other.

irreconcilable with

Highlights the impossibility of bringing two things into agreement.

in conflict with

Emphasizes the active opposition between two elements.

clashes with

Emphasizes a forceful disagreement or opposition.

at odds with

Suggests a state of disagreement or contention.

contradictory to

Highlights a direct opposition in meaning or nature.

in opposition to

Highlights the state of being against something.

not in harmony with

Replaces "incompatible" with a more metaphorical description of disharmony.

unsuited to

Suggests a lack of fitness or appropriateness.

FAQs

How to use "incompatible with" in a sentence?

Use "incompatible with" to describe situations where two or more things cannot coexist or function together harmoniously. For example, "His political views are "incompatible with" the party's platform."

What can I say instead of "incompatible with"?

You can use alternatives like "in conflict with", "at odds with", or "cannot coexist with" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "incompatible with" or "not compatible with"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "incompatible with" is generally considered more concise and formal. "Not compatible with" is a more direct, but slightly less sophisticated alternative.

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

"Incompatible with" suggests a fundamental inability to coexist or function together, while "inconsistent with" implies a contradiction or lack of alignment. For example, "His actions are "inconsistent with" his promises", suggesting a contradiction, whereas "His lifestyle is "incompatible with" a healthy heart", implying an inability to maintain health.