Intolerable vs. Intolerant: Meaning and Correct Usage

These two words look similar and share a Latin root, but they describe very different things. Mixing them up can change the meaning of a sentence entirely.

Definitions

Intolerable is an adjective that describes a situation, condition, or behavior that is too difficult, painful, or unpleasant to endure. It modifies things, not people.

Intolerant is an adjective that describes a person or group unwilling to accept views, beliefs, or behaviors that differ from their own. It can also describe a physical inability to process something, as in "lactose intolerant."

The Core Difference

Intolerable answers the question "What cannot be tolerated?" It focuses on the thing being experienced.

Intolerant answers the question "Who refuses to tolerate?" It focuses on the person doing the rejecting.

Examples

The heat in the attic was intolerable by mid-afternoon.
His intolerant attitude toward other religions cost him several friendships.
Working conditions at the factory became intolerable after the ventilation system broke.
She is intolerant of gluten and must avoid most bread products.
The noise from the construction site reached intolerable levels during the exam.
An intolerant manager who dismisses every new idea will eventually drive away talented employees.

Common Mistakes

The most frequent error is using intolerant to describe a situation rather than a person. "The traffic was intolerant" does not work because traffic cannot hold opinions or refuse to accept differences. The correct version would be "The traffic was intolerable."

Another common slip is writing "intolerable of" when you mean "intolerant of." You endure something intolerable; you are intolerant of something.

Quick Memory Trick

Intolerable = Something you are not able to bear.
Intolerant = A person (an individual) who refuses to accept others.

Remembering the suffix is the fastest way to keep these words straight. Once you connect -able with conditions and -ant with people, the distinction sticks.

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