show of incompetence

USAGE SUMMARY

"show of incompetence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a display or demonstration of incompetence in a particular situation or task. Example: The candidate's constant mistakes during the job interview were a clear show of incompetence, leading to his rejection for the position.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's a show of incompetence".

The New York Times

— and pointing out that Hollande's incorrect claim that the national debt had risen by five hundred billion dollars — Hollande was off by a hundred billion — was "a show of incompetence".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The statement that a bad regulation is better than none at all represents a show of political incompetence and is wrong.

EU Parlament

For the home secretary to have put police forces in this position just goes to show the degree of incompetence from this Government on policing and crime policy.

The Guardian

Research showed that judgments of incompetence by parents frequently coincided with the MacCAT-CR incompetent classification, however parents' assessments of competence showed only moderate agreement with the MacCAT-CR standard.

BMC Medical Ethics

The US government has been showing "a kind of incompetence", said the Oscar-winning director Alex Gibney who reckoned its behaviour was "very dissembling and mendacious".

BBC

"Huge delays, errors and reports of inexperienced staff assessing bids are not only distressing for those whose jobs are at stake, they show a worrying level of incompetence on the part of the MoJ.

Independent

It was a botched coup that showed all the hallmarks of incompetence.

Huffington Post

That sort of set the scene for me and when I chose to go to university, which was Kings College London, I continued to show all sorts of symptoms of incompetence in the lab while I was a student there.

BBC

Thus, our results confirm our previous ultrastructural findings on disruption of the BSCB showing functional incompetence of BSCB structural elements in ALS mice.

Plosone

These results confirm our previous ultrastructural findings [39] on disruption of the BSCB showing functional incompetence of BSCB structural elements in ALS mice.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "show of incompetence", ensure the context clearly demonstrates a pattern or instance of lacking necessary skills or abilities. Avoid using it for simple mistakes that do not reflect a broader lack of competence.

Common error

Avoid labeling minor mistakes as a "show of incompetence". This phrase is best reserved for situations where there is a clear and consistent pattern of inadequate performance, not just a single, isolated error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "show of incompetence" functions as a noun phrase that describes a display or manifestation of a lack of required skills or abilities. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "show of incompetence" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that signifies a clear display or manifestation of lacking necessary skills. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it's suitable for a range of contexts, predominantly appearing in News & Media and Science. While not exceedingly common, its use is consistent. When employing this phrase, ensure the situation warrants such a description, as it carries a negative connotation and should be reserved for situations where a lack of skill or ability is demonstrably evident. Alternatives like "display of ineptitude" or "exhibition of inability" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

display of ineptitude

Replaces "incompetence" with "ineptitude", emphasizing a general lack of skill.

exhibition of inability

Substitutes "show" with "exhibition" and "incompetence" with "inability", focusing on the lack of capacity.

demonstration of inadequacy

Replaces "show" with "demonstration" and "incompetence" with "inadequacy", highlighting a failure to meet expectations.

manifestation of deficiency

Uses more formal terms, replacing "show" with "manifestation" and "incompetence" with "deficiency".

act of incompetence

Focuses on a single instance rather than a continuous display, using "act" instead of "show".

evidence of incapability

Shifts the focus to the evidence of a lack of capability.

presentation of unskillfulness

Replaces "incompetence" with "unskillfulness", emphasizing a lack of expertise.

spectacle of ineptness

Adds a sense of public display and negativity, using "spectacle" and "ineptness".

instance of failure

Highlights a specific failure, which may or may not stem from incompetence.

lack of proficiency

Focuses on the absence of skill or expertise.

FAQs

How can I use "show of incompetence" in a sentence?

You can use "show of incompetence" to describe situations where someone or something demonstrates a clear lack of ability or skill. For example, "The project's failure was a clear "show of incompetence" from the management team".

What are some alternatives to "show of incompetence"?

Alternatives include "display of ineptitude", "exhibition of inability", or "demonstration of inadequacy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "show of incompetence"?

Use "show of incompetence" when there is a pattern or significant instance of lacking the necessary skills or abilities. It's best used when the lack of competence has noticeable consequences.

Is "show of incompetence" a formal or informal phrase?

"Show of incompetence" is generally considered a neutral phrase, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider your audience and the specific situation when choosing whether to use this phrase or a more nuanced alternative.