mutually incompatible

USAGE SUMMARY

"mutually incompatible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to two or more people or ideas that cannot be reconciled or combined. For example, "The two political ideologies are mutually incompatible, so the two parties could never agree on a policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most of the new theories suggested are mutually incompatible.

The Guardian

Airline security and individual privacy are not mutually incompatible goals.

The New York Times

These different belief systems include mutually incompatible doctrines.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Suddenly, it's beginning to look as though the 10% growth rate and democracy are mutually incompatible.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their shared mantra: change, preservation and sustainability are not mutually incompatible.

The New York Times

The trouble is that the world's wish list contains two mutually incompatible kinds of specs.

The New York Times - Tech

On the other hand, all three programs use mutually incompatible chat networks.

The New York Times - Tech

I remain convinced that internet telephony and listening to the Archers online are not mutually incompatible.

The Guardian - Tech

An important result from the analysis shows that the two potential treatment approaches are mutually incompatible.

International Journal of Engineering Science

Scholars have generally assumed that authoritarianism and rule of law are mutually incompatible.

Stanford University

This tangle of treaties, often with mutually incompatible rules, makes global pacts ever harder to reach.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mutually incompatible", ensure that the context clearly identifies the specific elements that cannot coexist or be reconciled. This adds precision and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "mutually incompatible" in contexts where the incompatibility is not absolute. Using it for situations where elements are simply difficult to reconcile, rather than fundamentally unable to coexist, weakens the impact and accuracy of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mutually incompatible" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe a state where two or more entities cannot coexist or be reconciled. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, further confirming its usability. Ludwig shows examples in various contexts, such as contrasting political ideologies and technical specifications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

31%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mutually incompatible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that describes a state of irreconcilable conflict or opposition between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: ensure that the incompatibility is absolute and clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Remember that alternatives like "irreconcilable differences" or "diametrically opposed" might be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The high frequency of its usage and the authoritative sources employing it underscore its importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irreconcilable differences

Highlights the inability to resolve disagreements, focusing on the conflict of ideas or interests.

conflicting viewpoints

Emphasizes the disagreement and opposition between different perspectives.

diametrically opposed

Stresses the complete opposition and contrast between two things.

mutually exclusive

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

fundamentally opposed

Highlights the deep and basic disagreement between two things.

at loggerheads

Suggests a state of strong disagreement and conflict.

in direct opposition

Emphasizes the confrontational nature of the incompatibility.

cannot coexist

Focuses on the inability of two things to exist together harmoniously.

contrary to each other

Highlights the opposition and contradiction between two things.

cannot be reconciled

Stresses the impossibility of bringing two things into agreement.

FAQs

How to use "mutually incompatible" in a sentence?

Use "mutually incompatible" to describe two or more ideas, goals, or systems that cannot coexist or be reconciled. For example, "The two political ideologies are "mutually incompatible", making compromise difficult".

What can I say instead of "mutually incompatible"?

You can use alternatives like "irreconcilable differences", "conflicting viewpoints", or "diametrically opposed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "mutually incompatible" or "incompatible"?

"Mutually incompatible" emphasizes that the incompatibility is reciprocal or between multiple entities. "Incompatible" can refer to a single, one-way incompatibility. The choice depends on whether the incompatibility is between two or more things.

What's the difference between "mutually incompatible" and "mutually exclusive"?

"Mutually incompatible" indicates that two or more things cannot coexist or be harmonized. "Mutually exclusive" implies that the presence of one thing necessarily prevents the presence of the other. While related, "mutually exclusive" carries a stronger sense of impossibility.