incapable

/ɪnˈkeɪpəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈkeɪpəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)in-ˈkā-pə-bəl/ (ame, mw)

incapable — adjective

  • incapablepositive
  • more incapablecomparative
  • most incapablesuperlative

1. not having the strength, skill, or qualities needed to do something, or to behav

1.形容詞C1
釋義

not having the strength, skill, or qualities needed to do something, or to behave in a particular way

例句

Xiu was so tired after the long flight that she felt incapable of even unpacking her suitcase.

incapable of + -ing for lacking strength or energy

The old wooden bridge looked rotten and seemed incapable of holding the weight of a car.

incapable of + -ing with inanimate subject

同義詞
  • unable

    more general; takes 'to + verb' rather than 'of + -ing'

  • powerless

    stresses lack of authority or force, often in the face of events

  • unfit

    stresses not meeting a required standard, often physical or moral

反義詞
  • capable

    direct opposite; takes 'of + -ing' in the same pattern

  • able

    more general; takes 'to + verb'

文法句型

incapable of + -ing

incapable of + noun

用法筆記

Almost always followed by 'of' plus an -ing verb or an abstract noun; rarely used before a noun and never with a to-infinitive (use 'unable to' for that pattern).

常見錯誤

❌Luca is incapable to swim well.
✅Luca is incapable of swimming well.
💡'incapable' takes 'of + -ing', never a to-infinitive.
❌An incapable person to lead the team was chosen.
✅A person incapable of leading the team was chosen.
💡'incapable' rarely sits before a noun; place it after the noun with an 'of' phrase.

2. of a situation, statement, or thing: not open to a particular treatment, change,

2.形容詞C2
釋義

of a situation, statement, or thing: not open to a particular treatment, change, or interpretation

例句

The judge ruled that the contract was incapable of any other reasonable interpretation.

incapable of + abstract noun in formal writing

Ayana argued that the ancient stone tablet was incapable of accurate dating without new lab tools.

同義詞
反義詞
  • susceptible

    open to a treatment, change, or influence

  • amenable

    willing or open to a course of action

文法句型

incapable of + noun

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense has an inanimate subject and means the thing does not admit a treatment or process, not that a person lacks ability. Common in formal, legal, or technical writing.

常見錯誤

❌The puzzle is incapable to solve.
✅The puzzle is incapable of being solved.
💡this sense still takes 'of + -ing' or 'of + noun', never a to-infinitive.