incapacity
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
The lack of ability, power, or qualification to do something.
A legal or medical condition that renders a person unfit or unable to perform certain duties or make decisions.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a formal, official, or legal term; implies an inherent lack of ability rather than a temporary inability.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Equally formal and legalistic in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in formal British legal texts, but the term is standard in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
incapacity for [noun]incapacity to [verb]incapacity of [person]due to incapacityVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms use 'incapacity' as a key component]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In HR contexts, referring to long-term inability to work, e.g., 'The policy covers benefits in case of total incapacity.'
Academic
In legal, philosophical, or medical literature discussing competence or agency, e.g., 'The study examines cognitive incapacity in elderly patients.'
Everyday
Rarely used in casual conversation; often replaced by 'inability' or 'can't'.
Technical
A key term in law (e.g., testamentary incapacity), medicine (e.g., work incapacity), and insurance (e.g., incapacity benefit).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A – 'incapacitate' is the related verb.
American English
- N/A – 'incapacitate' is the related verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A – No direct adverb form. 'Incapacitatingly' is extremely rare and non-standard.
American English
- N/A – No direct adverb form. 'Incapacitatingly' is extremely rare and non-standard.
adjective
British English
- The incapacitated driver was taken to hospital.
- An incapacity benefit claim was submitted.
American English
- The incapacitated worker filed for disability.
- An incapacity ruling was issued by the court.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He has an incapacity for hard work.
- Due to his illness, he suffered a temporary incapacity to walk.
- The court determined the defendant's mental incapacity to stand trial.
- The new legislation defines the legal incapacity of minors to enter into binding contracts.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'IN-CAPACITY' – you are NOT in a state of having capacity.
Conceptual Metaphor
ABILITY IS A CONTAINER / Lack of ability is an empty container.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'incompetence' (некомпетентность). 'Incapacity' is more about inherent inability, while 'incompetence' implies poor skill.
- Do not translate directly as 'неспособность' in all contexts; for physical/medical inability, 'нетрудоспособность' is often more accurate.
- In legal contexts, 'недееспособность' is the direct equivalent for 'legal incapacity'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'incapacity' to describe a temporary, minor inability (e.g., 'I have an incapacity to swim' – overuse; 'inability' is better).
- Confusing 'incapacity' with 'disability' (incapacity is the state of being unable; disability is often the condition causing it).
- Misspelling as 'incapasity'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'incapacity' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Incapacity' is more formal and often implies a legal, medical, or inherent lack of power/ability. 'Inability' is more general and can be used for temporary or simple lacks of skill.
No, it is inherently negative, describing a lack or deficiency.
Related but distinct. A disability is a physical or mental condition; an incapacity is the state of being unable to perform specific acts as a result of that condition or another cause.
'Incapacities', though it is often used as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'a state of incapacity').