incapable, unable

incapable, unable
These words mean "without the necessary power, capacity, or ability" to perform some particular act."The speaker was incapable of making himself heard in the rear of the hall." "The speaker was unable to make himself heard in the rear of the hall." Unable is always followed by to, incapable by of. Incapable usually refers to a permanent or long-standing lack of some sort; unable refers to a temporary inability: "This truck is incapable of carrying more than 2 tons." "For several minutes he was unable to breathe normally."

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • unable — See incapable. See incapable, unable …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • incapable — See incapable, unable …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • incapable — in·ca·pa·ble adj: lacking legal qualification or power (as by reason of mental incompetence) see also incapacity Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996. incapable …   Law dictionary

  • Incapable — In*ca pa*ble, a. [Pref. in not + capable: cf. F. incapable, L. incapabilis incomprehensible.] [1913 Webster] 1. Lacking in ability or qualification for the purpose or end in view; not large enough to contain or hold; deficient in physical… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • unable — I adjective defenseless, disabled, feckless, forceless, helpless, impotent, inadequate, incapable, incompetent, ineffective, inefficient, inept, inoperative, insufficient, lame, notable, powerless, unfit, unqualified, useless, worthless II index… …   Law dictionary

  • Unable — Un*a ble, a. Not able; not having sufficient strength, means, knowledge, skill, or the like; impotent weak; helpless; incapable; now usually followed by an infinitive or an adverbial phrase; as, unable for work; unable to bear fatigue. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • incapable — ► ADJECTIVE 1) (incapable of) lacking the ability or required quality to do. 2) unable to behave rationally. DERIVATIVES incapability noun …   English terms dictionary

  • incapable of — unable to do. → incapable …   English new terms dictionary

  • incapable — [adj] not adequate; helpless butterfingers*, disqualified, feeble, impotent, inadequate, incompetent, ineffective, ineligible, inept, inexperienced, inexpert, inproficient, insufficient, losing, naive, not equal to, not up to*, poor, powerless,… …   New thesaurus

  • unable — (adj.) late 14c., lacking in ability, incapable, from UN (Cf. un ) (1) not + ABLE (Cf. able). Modeled on O.Fr. inhabile or L. inhabilis …   Etymology dictionary

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