incompetence

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'incompetence' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is not capable of completing a task or responsibility. For example: "The politician's incompetence caused significant damage to the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The motion accused him of incompetence, negligence, and a lack of interest or engagement in his portfolio and of making misleading statements in the lead-up to the bill's introduction.

The Guardian

A crisis-hit hospital has been cleared of deliberately manipulating cancer treatment waiting times – with a review finding any failings were the result of managerial incompetence, not corruption.

The Guardian

When a child dies of neglect or abuse, the local authority is accused of incompetence and negligence; if there is an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, claims about inadequate precautions are heard; former employees of companies which have collapsed during the recession demand to know why more has not been done to save their jobs.

The Guardian - Opinion

The end of European colonialism in the Muslim world in no way diminished the immediacy of that challenge nor the venality, brutality and incompetence of local regimes.

The Guardian

The shadow transport secretary, Michael Dugher, said: "At Christmas, we saw a combination of chaos and incompetence on the railway, causing misery".

The Guardian

The Napoli owner went on to assert that this was "either bad faith or incompetence" from the officials, demanding that all be punished for their errors.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's well-intentioned incompetence that leads to the regeneration battles," he says.

The Guardian

What followed was more a drip-feed of inadequacy than a deluge of incompetence.

The Guardian - Sport

The Scottish wildcat is down to the last few dozen of its kind, owing to a mixture of complacency, astonishing incompetence by the government agency tasked with its protection and, now, claims of a cover-up.

The Guardian - Opinion

He took Virginia but, due to organisational incompetence, neither Santorum nor Gingrich were on the ballot.

The Guardian

It's their own administrative incompetence that poked the bear in the first place.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incompetence" when you want to emphasize the lack of ability to perform a specific task. For general inadequacy, other terms might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling something as "incompetence" without providing concrete evidence. Instead, illustrate the specific actions or inactions that demonstrate the lack of ability.

Linguistic Context

The noun "incompetence" functions primarily as a subject or object in a sentence, describing a state or quality of lacking the necessary skills or abilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is suitable for general use and fits conventional grammar standards.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incompetence" is a frequently used noun that describes a lack of ability or skill. Ludwig AI confirms the term's correct grammatical standing and usability. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, often used to critique or assess performance. Alternatives such as "ineptitude" or "inefficiency" offer varying nuances. When using "incompetence", ensure you provide specific examples to support your assessment and avoid generalizations to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ineptitude

Focuses on the lack of skill or ability to perform a task effectively.

inefficiency

Highlights the inability to avoid wasting resources, time, or energy.

incapability

Emphasizes a lack of the necessary power or skill to do something.

maladroitness

Stresses awkwardness and a lack of grace or skill in handling situations.

unskillfulness

Directly points to a deficiency in learned abilities or expertise.

amateurishness

Suggests a lack of professional quality, indicating inexperience.

bungling

Implies clumsiness and a tendency to make mistakes due to lack of skill.

blundering

Similar to bungling, but emphasizes making mistakes through stupidity or carelessness.

failure to perform

A more formal way of expressing the inability to execute duties or tasks.

lack of proficiency

Highlights the absence of competence or mastery in a particular area.

FAQs

How can I use "incompetence" in a sentence?

You can use "incompetence" to describe a lack of ability or skill. For example, "The project failed due to the manager's incompetence."

What are some alternatives to "incompetence"?

Alternatives include "ineptitude", "inefficiency", or "incapability", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "incompetence" or "lack of competence"?

"Incompetence" is more direct and concise, while "lack of competence" is slightly more formal. The best choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "incompetence" and "negligence"?

"Incompetence" refers to a lack of ability, while "negligence" implies a failure to exercise reasonable care, even if the ability is present. One can be incompetent without being negligent, and vice versa.