was not capable of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not capable of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express someone's inability to perform a specific action or task. Example: "Despite her best efforts, she was not capable of completing the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My son was not capable of this.

Independent

Surely this old dog was not capable of new tricks.

The Washington Post

He was not capable of carrying out this plan".

The New York Times

But, again, the U.S. domestic industry was not capable of meeting the demand at the time.

The Washington Post

The old ICI was not capable of driving its world-class businesses hard enough.

Harvard Business Review

His emails are so naive that he surely was not capable of formulating such a plan.

The Guardian - Sport

Of course, the original PlayStation was not capable of such beauty.

The Guardian - Games

I needed to hang on to the possibility that he was not capable of murder.

The New York Times

He continued, "When she looked at it, she felt she was not capable of paying it".

The New York Times - Arts

"He was not capable of holding drinks," Mr. Brennan said of Nixon.

The New York Times

That's pretty damning coming from Fiorina, who also was not capable of running Hewlett-Packard.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger, more direct alternatives like "could not" or "failed to" if aiming for conciseness and impact in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was not capable of" when a simple lack of effort or willingness is the primary issue. This phrase implies an inherent limitation, not a choice or lack of motivation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not capable of" functions as a predicate adjective, indicating a lack of ability or capacity. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, from assessing a person's skills to evaluating the limitations of a system.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

35%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Vice

1%

Huffington Post

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not capable of" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a lack of ability or capacity. Ludwig's analysis, aligning with its consistent usage across diverse sources like news media, scientific publications, and academic papers, highlights its utility in conveying inherent limitations. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's broad applicability, while suggesting stronger, more concise alternatives when appropriate. When employing the phrase, focus on clearly specifying the deficiency, and be careful not to overstate the incapability when simple unwillingness is the root cause.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unable to

A direct synonym indicating a lack of ability.

lacked the ability to

Emphasizes the absence of a specific skill or capacity.

was not equipped to

Highlights a lack of necessary resources or preparation.

was unsuited for

Indicates a mismatch between someone's abilities and a task.

was not up to the task of

Focuses on the challenge being beyond someone's capabilities.

could not handle

Suggests an inability to manage or cope with something.

was deficient in

Highlights a specific area of weakness or inadequacy.

fell short of

Implies a failure to reach a required standard or expectation.

was beyond one's reach

Emphasizes the unattainable nature of a goal or skill.

was out of one's depth

Suggests a situation exceeding someone's understanding or expertise.

FAQs

What are some alternative ways to say "was not capable of"?

You can use alternatives like "was unable to", "lacked the ability to", or "was unsuited for" depending on the specific context.

How does "was not capable of" differ from "could not"?

"Was not capable of" emphasizes an inherent inability or lack of capacity, while "could not" can also refer to a lack of permission, opportunity, or willingness. The first implies an intrinsic limitation, the second does not.

Is it better to use "was not capable of" or "incapable of"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "incapable of" is more concise. "Was not capable of" might be preferred in contexts where you want to soften the statement or provide more context.

Can "was not capable of" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "was not capable of" is suitable for formal writing, especially when precision is needed. However, in some cases, shorter alternatives like "was unable to" or "lacked the ability to" might improve conciseness.