not yet capable of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not yet capable of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a current inability to perform a task or function, indicating that there is potential for future capability. Example: "The technology is not yet capable of processing data at the speed we require for real-time analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is the Hawkeye technology at Wimbledon not yet capable of replacing human line judges altogether?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Many families are not yet capable of speaking about the victim.

The New York Times

But Iraq's institutions are not yet capable of handling multiple projects, says Mr Sarraf.

The Economist

In response, the government says it is not yet capable of monitoring the whole forest.

The New York Times

In 1994, the Israelis were prepared to accept that Mr. Arafat was not yet capable of policing Palestinian militants.

The New York Times

Attentiveness had become a habit with me, and, besides, I was not yet capable of packing up the office.

The New Yorker

Conventional approaches are not yet capable of creating unattended sensors that can selectively detect pathogenic viral and bacterial agents.

WTEC Panel Report on Tissue Engineering Research

Preclinical studies are not yet capable of assessing the clinically relevant immunogenicity potential of these product-related factors.

Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

The worry is that an America convinced of its own decline is not yet capable of that.

The Economist

The trouble is that they are not yet capable of being falsified, or indeed testable by experiment.

The New York Times - Books

Despite this boastful defiance, Iran is not yet capable of refurbishing enriched uranium into fuel rods for its reactors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “not yet capable of” to phrase critiques or evaluations delicately, implying that an issue is temporary.

Common error

Avoid using "not yet capable of" in contexts where the inability is permanent or unlikely to change. This phrase implies a future possibility, so it's misleading if the situation is inherently unchangeable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not yet capable of" functions as a qualifier, indicating a current limitation or lack of ability. It modifies a subject by specifying what it is presently unable to do, implying a potential for future development or acquisition of that ability, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

32%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not yet capable of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a current lack of ability with an implication of future potential. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and utilized across various domains like news, science, and academia. The phrase is best used when implying a temporary state and potential for future development, and it is important to avoid using it in contexts where the inability is permanent. Alternatives such as "currently unable to" or "presently incapable of" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

currently unable to

Emphasizes the present inability, similar to the original phrase.

presently incapable of

Uses "incapable" to highlight a lack of inherent ability at the moment.

still unable to

Adds an element of time, indicating a continuing inability.

not equipped to

Focuses on lacking the necessary resources or tools.

not ready to

Highlights a state of unpreparedness or immaturity.

unable at this time to

More formal and specific about the temporality of the inability.

lacking the capacity for

Formal and emphasizes an inherent limitation.

not up to

Informal way of saying not good enough or ready.

deficient in the ability to

Highlights a lack of a specific skill or competence.

not powerful enough to

Focuses on a lack of strength or resources.

FAQs

How can I use "not yet capable of" in a sentence?

Use "not yet capable of" to indicate that something or someone currently lacks the ability to perform a specific task, but may develop that ability in the future. For example: "The technology is "not yet capable of" processing that much data."

What are some alternatives to "not yet capable of"?

Alternatives include "currently unable to", "presently incapable of", or "still unable to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "not capable of yet" instead of "not yet capable of"?

While understandable, "not capable of yet" is less common and can sound awkward. "Not yet capable of" is the more standard and grammatically preferred phrasing.

What's the difference between "not yet capable of" and "incapable of"?

"Not yet capable of" implies a temporary state and suggests future potential, while "incapable of" suggests a more permanent or inherent inability.