Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
inapplicable vs. not applicable
English answer:
NOT applicable, for emphasis
Added to glossary by
Java Cafe
Oct 20, 2004 05:23
19 yrs ago
18 viewers *
English term
Latvia
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Native in: Latvian
Works in: English to Latvian, Latvian to English, German to Latvian, and 8 more.
inapplicable vs. not applicable
English
Social Sciences
Government / Politics
paralegal
Which of the two terms, "inapplicable" or "not applicable" is better for the purpose of strongly and unequivocally decreeing that something is: unsuitable, unusable now or in the future, unsuited and not desirable?
The text is addressed to readers/speakers of English in Europe, a mix of non-lawyers and maybe lawyers.
Can you explain the difference between the two terms? Do they have set meanings? Or on the contrary, does the choice of "inapplicable" vs. "not applicable" depend sheerly on the sentence they're used in?
Is "not -" stronger and clearer than "in-" ?
Thank you.
The text is addressed to readers/speakers of English in Europe, a mix of non-lawyers and maybe lawyers.
Can you explain the difference between the two terms? Do they have set meanings? Or on the contrary, does the choice of "inapplicable" vs. "not applicable" depend sheerly on the sentence they're used in?
Is "not -" stronger and clearer than "in-" ?
Thank you.
Responses
| 4 +8 | NOT applicable |
Java Cafe
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| 3 +5 | Hmmmm............ |
Gareth McMillan
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| 4 +3 | Neither |
David Moore (X)
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| 5 | Please see explanation |
jebeen
|
Responses
+8
4 mins
Selected
NOT applicable
This, in my opinion, emphasizes the negative. But, really, this is a matter of personal taste. Both should work equally well.
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Note added at 34 mins (2004-10-20 05:57:53 GMT)
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In my opinion, \"inapplicable\" is more subdued, a bit more \"polite,\" if you will. If I intend to convey the same meaning, but try to keep it as quiet as possible,, I would use \"inapplicable.\" If I wish to be a bit more forceful, I would use \"not applicable.\" If I want to shout, I\'d say, \"NOT applicable.\" :-) The last option, however, is not advised in formal communication. Hope this helps.
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Note added at 1 hr 0 min (2004-10-20 06:24:13 GMT)
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You are welcome, Valters! :-)
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Note added at 34 mins (2004-10-20 05:57:53 GMT)
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In my opinion, \"inapplicable\" is more subdued, a bit more \"polite,\" if you will. If I intend to convey the same meaning, but try to keep it as quiet as possible,, I would use \"inapplicable.\" If I wish to be a bit more forceful, I would use \"not applicable.\" If I want to shout, I\'d say, \"NOT applicable.\" :-) The last option, however, is not advised in formal communication. Hope this helps.
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Note added at 1 hr 0 min (2004-10-20 06:24:13 GMT)
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You are welcome, Valters! :-)
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Refugio
11 mins
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Thank you, Ruth!
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| agree |
Ramesh Madhavan
23 mins
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Thank you, Ramesh!
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| agree |
conejo
35 mins
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Thank you, Conejo!
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| agree |
Sven Petersson
1 hr
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Thank you, Sven!
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| agree |
Armorel Young
: and of course not applicable is often abbreviated to N/A on forms, whereas there is no abbreviation for inapplicable
2 hrs
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Thank you, Armorel!
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| agree |
Empty Whiskey Glass
4 hrs
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Thank you, Svetozar!
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| agree |
Olga B
7 hrs
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Thank you, Olga!
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| agree |
humbird
: Yes if you want to stress the negative side, you should use NOT instead of "un" "in" "an" prefixes.
11 hrs
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Thank you, Susan!
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "I'd like to thank everyone for helping in discussing this term. :)"
+5
7 mins
Gareth McMillan
Native in English
&
English
Least is most, so keep it simple!
Native in: English 
Works in: German to English, English
Hmmmm............
Depends entirely on the written style and context.
Mostly I would suggest "not" is stronger.
However, you might consider that this answer "does not apply" here. Maybe the the no of words used increases the emphasis?
Mostly I would suggest "not" is stronger.
However, you might consider that this answer "does not apply" here. Maybe the the no of words used increases the emphasis?
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Kristina Thorne
: not appropriate would seem to fit the context better
53 mins
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Thanks Kristina
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| agree |
Armorel Young
: yes - although I wonder if it is the right term in the context - not applicable usually means not relevant, not unsuitable or unusable which the asker seems to be wanting
2 hrs
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Thanks Amorel, but I don't think we've got anything like enough context to be of much help to the asker here.
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| agree |
Empty Whiskey Glass
4 hrs
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Thank you.
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| agree |
cmwilliams (X)
: agree with Armorel - neither term seems to be appropriate here.
4 hrs
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Thanks- yes when we get to undesirable- were talking totally different stuff to not aplicable- hence my comment about the answer not applying (in each case/all cases.
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| agree |
Alfa Trans (X)
2 days 11 hrs
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Thank you.
|
+3
3 hrs
Neither
IMHO, neither is correct - you almost had the right one yourself; to me, "undesirable" gets the ideas you wish to express across FAR better than "not applicable" or "inapplicable".
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Note added at 3 hrs 33 mins (2004-10-20 08:56:49 GMT)
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An effect can be TOTALLY undesirable, although you\'ve obviously some other word in mind; I think you must consider using an adjective such as \"completely\" (inappropriate?) or \"totally\", \"absolutely\" etc.... And once you have done that, look over your own suggestions again....
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Note added at 3 hrs 33 mins (2004-10-20 08:56:49 GMT)
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An effect can be TOTALLY undesirable, although you\'ve obviously some other word in mind; I think you must consider using an adjective such as \"completely\" (inappropriate?) or \"totally\", \"absolutely\" etc.... And once you have done that, look over your own suggestions again....
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
cmwilliams (X)
: with your last comment but would help to have more context.
1 hr
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| agree |
Gareth McMillan
: Well put.
4 hrs
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| agree |
J. Leo (X)
: Yes, another word choice seems completely appropriate here. I agree with cm and GMcM here above.
7 hrs
|
21 hrs
Please see explanation
**inapplicable and not applicable means the same, it is a matter of
choice.
**In application forms, people use N/A (not applicable), as it takes
less space.
**Both these words are used primarily to mean that something
(not somebody) is irrelevant or unrelated or inappropriate or
unsuitable or unusable.
**If the word unsuitable is regarding a person, then these 2 words
are not applicable/inapplicable/inappropriate/unusable.
**these 2 words are not used in case of undesirable. These are
inappropriate, as undesirable is mostly about a person.
Undesirable: adj: unwanted, unsuitable,objectionable, distasteful,
unfit, unpleasant. Noun: pariah, reject, outcast.
choice.
**In application forms, people use N/A (not applicable), as it takes
less space.
**Both these words are used primarily to mean that something
(not somebody) is irrelevant or unrelated or inappropriate or
unsuitable or unusable.
**If the word unsuitable is regarding a person, then these 2 words
are not applicable/inapplicable/inappropriate/unusable.
**these 2 words are not used in case of undesirable. These are
inappropriate, as undesirable is mostly about a person.
Undesirable: adj: unwanted, unsuitable,objectionable, distasteful,
unfit, unpleasant. Noun: pariah, reject, outcast.
Discussion