I also cannot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I also cannot" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you are on the same level as someone else in regard to not being able to do a certain thing. Example: "John cannot ride a bike, but I also cannot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

I also cannot fail to recognise many symptoms of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I also cannot work in a system that prioritises political gain over the good of our young people.

The Guardian

I also cannot believe that one can live so close to Manhattan and get such miserable service.

The New York Times

I also cannot accept the comparison of formula feeding with the harmful effects of smoking," she wrote on the firm's Facebook page.

The Guardian - Business

As one of the young adults who willingly pay more to live in New York (my hometown), I also cannot envision sustaining the cost of living here while raising a family.

The New York Times

I also cannot see any other purpose of the harassment warning beyond a way of highlighting to Mr Davies that his approaches to Ms Desai had gone beyond a reasonable course of conduct".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"It also cannot be sold.

Independent

The "Belarusian miracle" also cannot last.

The Economist

Krystel Martinez, 27, also cannot find work.

The New York Times

Wheelchairs also cannot go aboard the buses.

The New York Times - Travel

European carriers also cannot fly between cities in the United States.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I also cannot", ensure it directly follows a statement expressing a similar inability or negative condition to create a clear connection and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "I also cannot" when the preceding statement expresses a different kind of negation. For example, if the first statement is about a dislike, using "I also cannot" to express inability will sound awkward. Instead, use a phrase like "I don't either".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I also cannot" functions as a conjunctional phrase used to express a shared inability or negation. It connects the speaker's inability to a previously mentioned inability, indicating agreement or a parallel situation. As Ludwig AI pointed out, this phrase indicates you are on the same level as someone else in regard to not being able to do a certain thing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I also cannot" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to express a shared inability or negative condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates agreement with a prior statement of inability. While its usage spans various contexts, it's most prevalent in news and media. Alternatives such as "I am also unable to" can provide a more formal tone. Remember to use "I also cannot" when directly following a statement expressing a similar inability to ensure clarity and avoid potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am also unable to

Replaces "cannot" with "am unable to", offering a slightly more formal tone.

Nor can I

Uses "nor" to indicate that the inability applies to the speaker as well, creating a more concise and emphatic statement.

I'm equally unable to

Emphasizes the equivalence of inability using "equally".

Similarly, I cannot

Highlights the similarity in inability with "similarly".

I too am not able to

A more emphatic way of expressing inability, highlighting the speaker's inclusion.

Likewise, I'm unable to

Expresses a parallel inability using "likewise".

I am also not in a position to

Indicates an inability due to circumstances or limitations, rather than a lack of capability.

It's also not possible for me to

Shifts the focus to the impossibility of the action for the speaker.

I cannot either

Uses "either" as an adverb to express shared negation.

Correspondingly, I'm unable to

Indicates a parallel inability using "correspondingly".

FAQs

How can I use "I also cannot" in a sentence?

Use "I also cannot" to express your own inability to do something, mirroring a previous statement about someone else's inability. For example, "John can't attend the meeting, and "I also cannot"".

What is a formal alternative to "I also cannot"?

A more formal alternative would be "I am also unable to". This phrase maintains a professional tone while conveying the same meaning as "I also cannot".

Is "I also can not" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "I also can not" is less common and slightly less polished than "I also cannot". "Cannot" is generally preferred as a single word.

What's the difference between "I also cannot" and "Neither can I"?

"I also cannot" directly follows a statement of inability, whereas "Neither can I" introduces the shared inability. For example, "He cannot attend. "I also cannot"" versus "He cannot attend. "Neither can I"".