can also not

USAGE SUMMARY

"can also not" is both correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that the negative statement is equally applicable. For example, "I can watch television, but I can also not watch television."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Frustratingly, this play can also not be specified until contracts are finalised.

The Guardian - Film

While systematic diurnal changes are apparent, day-to-day and hour-to-hour fluctuations can also not be overlooked.

Advances in Space Research

These results are similar to the dedicated linear attack on ARIA version 0.8 and show that the improved version can also not effectively resist this type of attack.

Tsinghua Science & Technology

These same people can also not afford a decent computer for their children to do their homework on, or books for them to read.

The Guardian

A Saudi female can also not get a foreign education with government support unless she is accompanied by a male guardian.

The New Yorker

It is going to be a real shock for some people". Frustratingly, this play can also not be specified until contracts are finalised.

The Guardian - Film

Additionally, in this case we can also not exclude the possibility of multivalent interactions between multiple enzymes on one fiber with multiple inhibitors on another fiber.

Nature

It can also not be treated as an employee benefit.

University of Chicago

Therefore, this possibility can also not be excluded.

Earth, Planets and Space

Jacobi's influence on Fichte can also not be overestimated.

SEP

Breaks can also not be used in conjunction with any type of leave.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can also not" to connect a negative statement to a previously mentioned similar situation, emphasizing that both cases share the same constraint or inability. For example, "The software can perform this task, but it "can also not" handle larger datasets."

Common error

Be mindful of sentence complexity when using "can also not". Ensure the sentence remains clear and avoids becoming convoluted. If the sentence becomes too lengthy, consider breaking it into shorter, more digestible parts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can also not" functions as a negative modal adverbial, modifying a verb to express inability or lack of permission in addition to a previously stated condition. Ludwig AI indicates its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can also not" is a grammatically correct and commonly used construction to express an additional inability or constraint, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's particularly prevalent in scientific and news contexts. When using it, ensure clarity by maintaining concise sentence structure and avoiding convoluted phrasing. Alternative expressions, like "is equally unable to", can provide a more formal tone when necessary. While commonly used, consider the potential for simpler alternatives depending on the context to improve readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot either

Replaces "also not" with "either", emphasizing that something else is equally impossible.

is equally unable to

Emphasizes the equal inability to perform an action.

similarly cannot

Uses "similarly" to draw a direct parallel in inability.

similarly unable to

Expresses a parallel inability to do something.

equally unable to

Highlights that the inability is on par with something else.

is also incapable of

Substitutes "not" with "incapable of", focusing on a lack of capability.

furthermore cannot

Uses "furthermore" to add another impossibility to the list.

moreover cannot

Similar to 'furthermore', this adds another layer of impossibility.

in addition cannot

Introduces an additional impossibility or inability.

is also not able to

Specifies that the subject lacks the capacity or ability.

FAQs

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

Use "can also not" to indicate that something else is equally not possible or permissible. For instance, "The system cannot process this file type, it "can also not" handle files larger than 1GB".

What's a formal way to say "can also not"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "is equally unable to" or "similarly cannot" to maintain a more professional tone. For example, instead of saying "The committee can also not approve this proposal", you could say "The committee "is equally unable to" approve this proposal".

Is it correct to say "cannot also" instead of "can also not"?

While "cannot also" might seem grammatically similar, it's not a standard or widely accepted construction in English. It's generally better to use ""can also not"" for clarity and adherence to common usage.

Which is more common, "can also not" or "cannot"?

"Cannot" is generally more common in many contexts as a simple negation. However, ""can also not"" is used when you want to add a negative statement that parallels a previous negative statement. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.