incapable
Lacking the necessary ability, power, or fitness to perform a specific task or action. It often describes an inherent or permanent state of being unable to do something.
Incapable describes a fundamental lack of ability or capacity to perform a specific action or function.
الكلمة في 30 ثانية
- Lacking the power or ability to do something specific.
- Always use with the preposition 'of' followed by '-ing'.
- Suggests a more permanent or inherent limitation than 'unable'.
Summary
Incapable describes a fundamental lack of ability or capacity to perform a specific action or function.
- Lacking the power or ability to do something specific.
- Always use with the preposition 'of' followed by '-ing'.
- Suggests a more permanent or inherent limitation than 'unable'.
Master the 'Of + Gerund' Pattern
Always follow 'incapable' with 'of' and a verb ending in '-ing'. This is the most natural way to use the word.
Avoid Using with 'To' Infinitives
Never say 'incapable to run.' Instead, say 'incapable of running.' This is a frequent error for English learners.
Legal and Medical Capacity
In English-speaking legal systems, being 'incapable' means you lack the mental fitness to make decisions for yourself.
أمثلة
4 من 4The car was old and incapable of going faster than 40 miles per hour.
The court ruled that the defendant was mentally incapable of understanding the charges.
I'm totally incapable of cooking a decent meal without a recipe.
Some species are incapable of adapting to rapid climate changes.
عائلة الكلمة
نصيحة للحفظ
Think of the prefix 'IN-' as 'Inside' a cage. If you are 'IN-capable,' you are stuck inside a cage and NOT able to do anything outside of it.
Overview
'Incapable' is a negative adjective formed by adding the prefix 'in-' (meaning 'not') to the word 'capable.' It is used to describe a person, object, or system that does not possess the qualities, skills, or strength required to achieve a particular result. While 'unable' often refers to a temporary situation, 'incapable' usually suggests a more fundamental or lasting limitation. 2) Usage Patterns: The most important grammatical rule for 'incapable' is that it is almost always followed by the preposition 'of' and a gerund (a verb ending in -ing) or a noun. For example, 'He is incapable of lying' is correct, whereas 'He is incapable to lie' is grammatically incorrect. It can also be used as a standalone adjective to describe someone who is generally incompetent or lacks basic skills. 3) Common Contexts: This word appears frequently in formal, legal, and scientific contexts. In law, a person might be 'deemed incapable' of managing their own affairs due to mental health issues. In science, it describes the limitations of materials or processes, such as a metal being 'incapable of rusting' under certain conditions. In personal contexts, it is often used to describe character traits, such as being 'incapable of cruelty.' 4) Similar Words Comparison: 'Incapable' is often compared to 'unable' and 'incompetent.' 'Unable' is usually situational (e.g., 'I am unable to attend the meeting today'), while 'incapable' implies a deeper lack of capacity (e.g., 'The bridge is incapable of supporting that much weight'). 'Incompetent' specifically refers to a lack of professional skill or efficiency, often carrying a judgmental or insulting tone that 'incapable' does not always have.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
Incapable is more formal than 'unable.' It is frequently used in professional, medical, and legal documentation. In casual speech, it is often used with 'totally' or 'completely' for emphasis.
أخطاء شائعة
The most common mistake is using 'to' instead of 'of' (e.g., 'incapable to swim' instead of 'incapable of swimming'). Another mistake is using it for simple, temporary situations where 'unable' would be more appropriate.
نصيحة للحفظ
Think of the prefix 'IN-' as 'Inside' a cage. If you are 'IN-capable,' you are stuck inside a cage and NOT able to do anything outside of it.
أصل الكلمة
From the Late Latin 'incapabilis,' where 'in-' means 'not' and 'capabilis' means 'able to hold or grasp.'
السياق الثقافي
In Western cultures, calling someone 'incapable' can be a strong criticism of their character or intelligence, suggesting they are useless or helpless.
أمثلة
The car was old and incapable of going faster than 40 miles per hour.
everydayThe court ruled that the defendant was mentally incapable of understanding the charges.
formalI'm totally incapable of cooking a decent meal without a recipe.
informalSome species are incapable of adapting to rapid climate changes.
academicعائلة الكلمة
تلازمات شائعة
العبارات الشائعة
incapable of change
incapable of harm
يُخلط عادةً مع
'Unable' is often for temporary or situational hurdles, while 'incapable' implies a permanent lack of power or skill.
'Incompetent' is used specifically for people who are bad at their jobs or tasks, whereas 'incapable' can apply to anyone or anything.
أنماط نحوية
Master the 'Of + Gerund' Pattern
Always follow 'incapable' with 'of' and a verb ending in '-ing'. This is the most natural way to use the word.
Avoid Using with 'To' Infinitives
Never say 'incapable to run.' Instead, say 'incapable of running.' This is a frequent error for English learners.
Legal and Medical Capacity
In English-speaking legal systems, being 'incapable' means you lack the mental fitness to make decisions for yourself.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb.
The old computer is incapable of ___ (run) the latest software.
'Incapable of' must be followed by a gerund (-ing form).
Choose the synonym for 'incapable' in this context.
The athlete was physically incapable of finishing the race.
'Unable' is the closest synonym, though 'incapable' suggests a more absolute physical limit.
Reorder the words to create a correct sentence.
of / is / she / lying / incapable / .
The standard sentence structure is Subject + Verb + Adjective + Prepositional Phrase.
النتيجة: /3
الأسئلة الشائعة
4 أسئلة'Unable' usually refers to a temporary or specific situation (e.g., unable to go out), while 'incapable' refers to an inherent or permanent lack of ability (e.g., incapable of flying).
No, that is a common mistake. You must use the pattern 'incapable of doing' something.
It can be. While it is often used neutrally in science or law, calling a person 'incapable' suggests they are incompetent, which can be offensive.
The noun form is 'incapability,' though 'incapacity' is also used, especially in legal and medical contexts.
