less capable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less capable to" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly when trying to express a reduced ability or capacity to do something. Example: "He is less capable to handle complex tasks than his colleagues."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Overall the sex offenders were higher on aggression and attention to feelings, less clear about their feelings and less capable to repair unpleasant moods and prolong positive ones.

Journal of Adolescence

Teachers may feel guilty pushing students who are perceived as less capable to achieve at higher levels, because they think it is unfair to the student.

BBC

Whereas the Online SOM is progressively less capable to model changes due to decreasing learning parameters, the PLSOM suffers from the fact it also uses an estimation of the input space diameter, which also is changing, to compute learning parameters.

Journal of Big Data

Note that the passage of surface waves, in this frequency range, was less capable to trigger seismicity in Japan in previous study cases (Harrington and Brodsky 2006), at similar shaking amplitudes.

Earth, Planets and Space

In contrast, for innovation performance, the coefficient on the local government ownership is negative and statistically significant at the 5% level after controlling for R&D intensity, which predicts that firms affiliated with local government are less capable to generate new products.

Frontiers of Business Research in China

"Whilst I'm all for assessment, all for challenge, all for encouraging the best to develop and supporting the less capable to catch up, I think if you introduced very rigorous testing in the way that's being described, I think that could have quite a negative impact on some children".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

But any good leader knows that they must sacrifice their own comfort as they confront core issues that those less capable choose to neglect.

Huffington Post

Although chemokines are best known for their role as chemoattractants, we show here that CLL cells are much less capable of migrating to CXCL12 compared to CLL B cells, despite an upregulation of CXCR4 on the CLL cells [5].

Plosone

And when men cry in response to performance feedback, the feedback provider rates them as a lower performer, less likely to get promoted, and less capable, as compared to women who cry.

Harvard Business Review

Since suffering a brain injury, I have become less capable of reacting to emergencies and more prone to experiencing their worst effects.

The New York Times

As the frequency of stretch increases from 0.01 to 1 Hz, the cells become increasingly less capable of adjusting to matrix stretch-induced changes in SF stretch.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "less capable to", opt for "less able to" or "not as capable as" followed by a verb. This ensures grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

The phrase "less capable to" incorrectly pairs the adjective "capable" with the preposition "to". Always use "of" after "capable" when indicating what someone is capable of doing, or rephrase using "able to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less capable to" functions as an adjectival phrase attempting to express a reduced ability. However, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig identifies the correct usage is either "less able to" or "less capable of".

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less capable to" is grammatically incorrect. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the correct alternatives are "less able to" or "less capable of". While examples of the incorrect phrase exist, using the grammatically correct alternatives will ensure clarity and credibility in your writing. Remember to use "of" after "capable" to maintain proper English. Opt for options like "less able to" or rephrasing for better accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less able to

Replaces "capable" with "able", a more common and grammatically sound alternative.

not as capable as

Uses a comparative structure to indicate a lower level of capability.

less competent to

Substitutes "capable" with "competent", offering a similar meaning with standard grammar.

less qualified to

Indicates a lack of necessary qualifications for a specific task.

not equipped to

Suggests a lack of necessary resources or skills.

less skilled at

Focuses on a lack of proficiency in a particular skill.

deficient in

Implies a shortage or inadequacy in a specific area.

lacking the ability to

Explicitly states the absence of a particular ability.

struggling to

Highlights the difficulty in performing a task.

not up to the task of

Indicates an inability to handle a specific challenge.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say someone has a reduced ability?

Instead of the incorrect "less capable to", use alternatives like "less able to" or "not as capable as". These options are grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Is "less capable to" grammatically correct?

No, "less capable to" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form is "less able to" or "less capable of". Ludwig AI identifies it as an incorrect usage.

What can I say instead of "less capable to" in a formal context?

In a formal context, use alternatives like "less competent to", "less qualified to", or "lacking the ability to". These options maintain a professional tone while ensuring grammatical accuracy.

How does "less capable of" differ from "less able to"?

"Less capable of" and "less able to" are often interchangeable, but "capable" can sometimes imply a higher degree of skill or potential than "able". Both are grammatically correct, unlike "less capable to".