I cannot deny

USAGE SUMMARY

"I cannot deny" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you do not want or intend to refute something. For example: "I cannot deny that I made a mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I cannot deny that.

The Guardian - Sport

I cannot deny it".

The New York Times

I liked Jian; I cannot deny it.

The Guardian - Tech

Kuyt commented: "I cannot deny there were negotiations with Inter.

Independent

"I cannot deny that there is an inequality," he said.

The New York Times

I cannot deny that, I saw the match".

Independent

I cannot deny that the environment is changing.

The Guardian

"I cannot deny that there are several clubs interested," said Claudio Vagheggi.

Independent

I cannot deny, it is influencing me," the 40-year-old artist said last month.

The New York Times - Arts

I cannot deny that, I saw the match," he told the media after the match.

Independent

"I cannot deny this," Mr. Aziz said when asked about Israelis' own right of return.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I cannot deny" when you want to acknowledge a truth or feeling, even if it's something you might prefer to avoid or disagree with. It conveys honesty and a degree of resignation.

Common error

While effective, relying too heavily on "I cannot deny" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing with synonyms like "I must admit" or "It is undeniable" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I cannot deny" is as a declarative statement expressing acknowledgment or concession. Ludwig examples show it introducing facts or feelings that the speaker recognizes as valid, despite any personal preference.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I cannot deny" is a versatile phrase used to acknowledge a truth or feeling, even when it's undesirable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While very common, varying your phrasing with alternatives like "I must admit" or "it is undeniable" can enhance your writing style. Remember that this phrase conveys honesty and acceptance, making it appropriate for neutral to slightly formal registers. Overuse of "I cannot deny" may make writing repetitive, so consider synonyms for better readability. This phrase is effective for conveying a sense of resignation in the face of an undeniable reality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I can't deny

Contraction of "cannot", making it slightly more informal.

I must admit

Emphasizes a reluctant acknowledgment of something.

I have to concede

Highlights the act of yielding or admitting defeat in an argument.

I won't dispute

Focuses on a decision not to challenge or question something.

It is undeniable

Shifts the focus to the irrefutable nature of the fact itself.

I cannot refute

Emphasizes the impossibility of proving something false.

I am compelled to admit

Highlights a sense of obligation or pressure to acknowledge something.

I acknowledge

A more straightforward and less emphatic admission.

I grant you

Implies a concession within a discussion or debate.

I can't help but admit

Indicates an involuntary or unavoidable admission, often about a feeling.

FAQs

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

You can use "I cannot deny" to acknowledge something that is true, even if you don't like it. For example, "I cannot deny that the weather is terrible today".

What can I say instead of "I cannot deny"?

You can use alternatives like "I must admit", "I have to concede", or "it is undeniable" depending on the context.

Is "I can't deny" the same as "I cannot deny"?

"I can't deny" is a contraction of "I cannot deny", and they generally mean the same thing. "I can't deny" is slightly more informal.

What's the difference between "I cannot deny" and "I refuse to believe"?

"I cannot deny" acknowledges a truth, while "I refuse to believe" expresses a rejection of something, even if it might be true.