they are incompatible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are incompatible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to two or more people, objects, or ideas that do not go together or are not able to exist together in the same environment. For example, "The two teams have incompatible goals, so it would be impossible for them to work together on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they are incompatible.

The New York Times

And they are incompatible.

The New York Times

Underneath, however, they are incompatible.

The New York Times

"They are incompatible with the skin organ itself," she says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However, they are incompatible because they are physically different.

The Economist

They are incompatible with basic democratic ideals and should be repealed.

The Guardian - Opinion

As per the well-worn phrase, they are "incompatible with the status" of the job.

The Guardian

While organic transistors are good enough to power electrophoretic displays, they are incompatible with OLEDs.

MIT Technology Review

They are incompatible with any sort of ordered, decent family life.

The Guardian - Opinion

Greens oppose fossil fuels, saying they are "incompatible with our climate-change obligations".

Independent

But apart from that they are incompatible with content built in Flash.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they are incompatible", ensure that the subjects being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "these software systems are incompatible" rather than simply "they are incompatible."

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "incompatible" in technical documentation. Instead, detail the specific reasons for the incompatibility, such as differing protocols or data formats, to provide more actionable information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are incompatible" functions as a predicate adjective phrase. It describes the subject ("they") by ascribing a quality of being unable to coexist or function together harmoniously. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they are incompatible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a lack of harmony or functional alignment between entities. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread application across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic discourse. The phrase carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. To enhance clarity, specifying the subjects and reasons for incompatibility is recommended. Related phrases include "they do not align" and "they are mutually exclusive", each with subtle differences in emphasis. Remembering to detail the specific causes behind the incompatibility instead of only stating incompatibility will help writers to be more informative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are not compatible

A slightly more formal synonym, emphasizing a lack of suitability.

they are irreconcilable

Implies that differences cannot be resolved or brought into agreement.

they are mutually exclusive

Emphasizes that the two cannot both be true or valid.

they are contradictory

Highlights a direct opposition or inconsistency.

they do not align

Focuses on a lack of agreement or correspondence.

they are inconsistent

Focuses on a lack of uniformity or predictability.

they are not in harmony

Suggests a lack of agreement or peaceful coexistence.

they are at odds

Indicates disagreement or conflict.

they clash

Suggests a strong disagreement or conflict.

they are divergent

Highlights a departure from a common point or standard.

FAQs

What does "they are incompatible" mean?

The phrase "they are incompatible" means that two or more things cannot coexist or function together harmoniously. They clash or prevent each other from working effectively.

How to use "they are incompatible" in a sentence?

You can use "they are incompatible" to describe conflicting ideas, systems that cannot work together, or people with conflicting personalities. For example, "His political views and hers "they are incompatible"."

What can I say instead of "they are incompatible"?

You can use alternatives like "they are not compatible", "they are mutually exclusive", or "they clash" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "they are incompatible" or "they are uncompatible"?

"They are incompatible" is the correct and standard phrasing. "Uncompatible" is not a recognized word in English.