Explanation at your level:
If you are incapable of something, you cannot do it. For example, a dog is incapable of talking. It means you do not have the power to do the action. Use it when someone tries to do something but fails because they do not have the skill.
You use incapable to describe someone who cannot finish a task. If a person is incapable of working, they cannot do their job. It is a very serious word. People usually use it when they are frustrated or explaining why something did not work.
The word incapable is useful when you want to describe a lack of ability. It is often used with the preposition 'of'. For example, 'She is incapable of lying.' This means she always tells the truth. It is a formal way to say someone cannot do something.
In professional or academic contexts, incapable helps you describe limitations clearly. It suggests that the inability is significant. You might say a system is 'incapable of handling' high traffic. It is more precise than just saying 'cannot'.
Using incapable allows for nuanced criticism. It suggests an inherent lack of capacity rather than a temporary obstacle. In literature or formal essays, it can describe characters who are incapable of redemption or growth, adding a layer of psychological depth to your writing.
The term incapable carries weight in philosophical or legal discourse. It can denote a lack of legal standing or moral agency. When an individual is deemed 'incapable,' it often implies a formal assessment of their faculties. Understanding the etymology—from 'not holding'—helps one appreciate its usage in describing the limits of human potential or systemic function.
واژه در 30 ثانیه
- Means not able to do something.
- Always followed by 'of'.
- Often used in formal settings.
- Opposite of capable.
When we say someone is incapable, we are describing a limitation in their ability to perform a task. It is a strong word that suggests a lack of the necessary tools, skills, or mental capacity to get the job done.
Think of it as the opposite of being competent. While someone might be 'unable' to do something because of a temporary situation, 'incapable' often feels a bit more permanent or inherent to the person's current skill set.
It is important to use this word carefully. Because it sounds quite final, it can be seen as harsh or critical when applied to a person's character or intelligence. Always consider the context before calling someone incapable!
The word incapable comes to us from the Latin word incapax, which literally means 'not holding' or 'not containing.' This evolved through Old French before settling into English in the late 16th century.
The root capere is the same one that gives us 'capture' and 'capacity.' Originally, it referred to space—if a container was 'incapable,' it simply couldn't hold what you were trying to put inside it.
Over time, the meaning shifted from physical containers to human beings. By the 17th century, it was commonly used to describe people who lacked the mental or moral capacity to perform certain duties. It is a fascinating example of how a word for a physical object became a tool for judging human performance.
In English, incapable is almost always followed by the preposition of. You are 'incapable of doing' something, not 'incapable to do' it.
You will often see it in professional settings, such as 'The manager was found incapable of managing the team.' It carries a formal tone that makes it perfect for reports, critiques, or serious discussions.
In casual conversation, people might prefer simpler phrases like 'not good at' or 'cannot handle.' Using 'incapable' in a friendly chat might make you sound a bit too serious or even slightly condescending, so save it for when you really need to emphasize a lack of ability.
While 'incapable' itself isn't a core part of many idioms, it functions within common expressions. 1. Incapable of harm: Used to describe someone who is very gentle. 2. Incapable of change: Describes someone stubborn. 3. Incapable of understanding: Used when someone is completely confused. 4. Incapable of speech: Describes someone in shock. 5. Incapable of error: Used to describe perfection.
The word incapable is an adjective, so it doesn't have plural forms. It follows the standard pattern of adjective + preposition, specifically incapable of + gerund (-ing).
The pronunciation is /ɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/. The stress falls on the second syllable, 'kay'. A common rhyme is 'capable' (of course!), 'stable', and 'label'.
Remember, you don't use 'incapable' with an infinitive (to do). Always use the gerund form. For example, 'He is incapable of running' is correct, while 'He is incapable to run' is grammatically incorrect in standard English.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'capture'.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'in' sound, 'kay' stress, and soft 'bəl' at the end.
Similar to UK, but with a slightly flatter 'a' sound.
Common Errors
- Misplacing stress on the first syllable
- Pronouncing 'able' as 'ah-ble'
- Forgetting the 'of' preposition
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Medium
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
پیشرفته
Grammar to Know
Adjective + Preposition
Incapable of
Gerunds
Incapable of working
Adjective usage
He is incapable
Examples by Level
The baby is incapable of walking.
baby cannot walk
incapable of + gerund
I am incapable of flying.
I cannot fly
adjective usage
The car is incapable of starting.
car will not start
inanimate object
He is incapable of reading.
he cannot read
basic ability
Dogs are incapable of speaking.
dogs cannot talk
general truth
This box is incapable of holding water.
box leaks
physical capacity
She is incapable of swimming.
she cannot swim
lack of skill
I am incapable of running fast.
I am slow
limitation
The computer is incapable of processing this file.
He is incapable of keeping a secret.
They were incapable of finding the way.
The team is incapable of winning.
She is incapable of making a decision.
The device is incapable of connecting to Wi-Fi.
I am incapable of understanding this math.
He is incapable of being on time.
The old bridge is incapable of supporting heavy trucks.
She is incapable of showing any emotion.
The government seems incapable of solving the crisis.
He is incapable of admitting he is wrong.
The plant is incapable of surviving in the cold.
The system is incapable of handling so much data.
They are incapable of working together as a team.
I am incapable of ignoring such injustice.
He proved himself incapable of managing the department.
The witness was incapable of identifying the suspect.
The company is incapable of meeting its quarterly goals.
She is incapable of compromise in negotiations.
The engine is incapable of generating enough power.
He is incapable of independent thought.
The patient is currently incapable of giving consent.
The software is incapable of running on older systems.
The regime is incapable of reform from within.
He is incapable of grasping the gravity of the situation.
The narrative is incapable of sustaining interest.
They are incapable of reconciling their differences.
The artist is incapable of producing mediocre work.
The structure is incapable of withstanding the storm.
He is incapable of empathy for his rivals.
The argument is incapable of logical proof.
The protagonist is incapable of transcending his tragic flaws.
The legal system is incapable of addressing such nuances.
His mind is incapable of conceiving such vast distances.
The theory is incapable of explaining the anomaly.
She is incapable of feigning interest in trivial matters.
The institution is incapable of adapting to modernity.
The witness was deemed incapable of providing reliable testimony.
The situation is incapable of being resolved peacefully.
ترکیبهای رایج
Idioms & Expressions
"incapable of harm"
very gentle
Don't worry, he is incapable of harm.
neutral"incapable of lying"
very honest
She is incapable of lying to her friends.
neutral"incapable of speech"
unable to talk due to shock
He was left incapable of speech.
literary"incapable of error"
perfect
No one is incapable of error.
formal"incapable of reason"
acting without logic
He was so angry he was incapable of reason.
formal"incapable of judgment"
unable to make good choices
He was tired and incapable of judgment.
formalEasily Confused
Similar meaning
Unable is more casual.
I am unable to go vs I am incapable of going.
Both imply lack of skill
Incompetent is specific to work.
He is incompetent at his job.
Both imply lack of ability
Powerless implies lack of control.
I am powerless to stop it.
Both imply not suitable
Unfit means not qualified.
He is unfit for the role.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + incapable + of + gerund
He is incapable of running.
Subject + seems + incapable + of + noun
She seems incapable of change.
Subject + proved + incapable + of + gerund
They proved incapable of winning.
Subject + remains + incapable + of + gerund
It remains incapable of functioning.
Subject + is + deemed + incapable + of + noun
He was deemed incapable of consent.
خانواده کلمه
Nouns
Adjectives
مرتبط
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
اشتباهات رایج
Always use 'of' + gerund.
The preposition is 'of', not 'for'.
Incapable is an absolute adjective.
It needs a noun or gerund phrase.
Wrong preposition choice.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a box that is too small for a gift.
Native Usage
Used in formal reports.
Cultural Insight
Avoid using it to describe people's intelligence.
Grammar Shortcut
Incapable of + -ing.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'KAY' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Never use 'to' after incapable.
Did You Know?
It comes from Latin.
Study Smart
Use it in a sentence today.
Context Matters
Use 'unable' for casual talk.
Preposition Power
Always pair with 'of'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
In-cap-able: Inside the cap, it is not able to fit.
Visual Association
A person trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.
Word Web
چالش
Write three things you are capable of, then three things you are incapable of.
ریشه کلمه
Latin
Original meaning: not holding
بافت فرهنگی
Can be offensive if used to describe someone's intelligence.
Used in professional and formal settings.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- Incapable of meeting deadlines
- Incapable of teamwork
- Incapable of leadership
School
- Incapable of understanding math
- Incapable of following instructions
Technical
- Incapable of processing data
- Incapable of running the software
Daily life
- Incapable of keeping a secret
- Incapable of being on time
Conversation Starters
"What is something you feel incapable of doing?"
"Do you think people can change if they are incapable of something?"
"When is it okay to call someone incapable?"
"Have you ever felt incapable of finishing a task?"
"Is it better to say 'unable' or 'incapable'?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you felt incapable.
Describe a machine that is incapable of working.
Discuss the difference between being 'unable' and 'incapable'.
Write a story about someone who learns to do something they were once incapable of.
سوالات متداول
8 سوالNo, always use 'incapable of'.
It can be, so use it carefully.
Incapability.
Very similar, but 'incapable' is more formal.
Yes, like 'the car is incapable of starting'.
No, it is an adjective.
in-KAY-puh-bul.
It is more common in writing.
خودت رو بسنج
He is ___ of running.
Needs the adjective.
Which means the same as incapable?
Incapable means not able.
Incapable is followed by 'to'.
It is followed by 'of'.
Word
معنی
Matching opposites.
Subject + verb + adj + prep + gerund.
امتیاز: /5
Summary
Incapable means lacking the ability to do something, and it is almost always followed by 'of'.
- Means not able to do something.
- Always followed by 'of'.
- Often used in formal settings.
- Opposite of capable.
Memory Palace
Imagine a box that is too small for a gift.
Native Usage
Used in formal reports.
Cultural Insight
Avoid using it to describe people's intelligence.
Grammar Shortcut
Incapable of + -ing.
مثال
他在这方面能力比较弱。
Related Content
این کلمه در زبانهای دیگر
واژههای بیشتر work
充裕的
B2Abundant, ample, or sufficient in quantity.
事故
A2accident; mishap
依照
A2According to; in accordance with.
准确地
A2accurately, precisely
做到
A2to achieve; to accomplish
积极地
A2actively; enthusiastically
应变
B2Adaptive; capable of dealing with emergencies.
行政
A2Administration; the management of affairs.
过后
A2Afterwards; at a later or subsequent time.
赞同
A2To approve of, to endorse; to agree with or support.
