cannot afford to drop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot afford to drop" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is too important or valuable to lose or give up. Example: "In this competitive market, we cannot afford to drop our quality standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

They cannot afford to drop points here.

The Guardian - Sport

"We cannot afford to drop points against anybody at home".

The Guardian - Sport

The U.S. and Israel, he said, are on the edge of achieving something in Lebanon, and so cannot afford to drop their guard.

The Guardian

The title is long gone but they are only 15 points behind Red Bull's second place and cannot afford to drop the ball again.

The Guardian - Sport

The Giants may look for another speedy receiver this off-season, but Dixon will probably return next season as the project the team cannot afford to drop.

The New York Times - Sports

As Arsène Wenger admitted: "When you lose your first home game you cannot afford to drop points in the second home game as it creates anxiety.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

We cannot afford to miss this opportunity".

Unicef

But it cannot afford to do so.

The Economist

He cannot afford to do this.

The Economist

Communities in Colorado and across the nation cannot afford to see a drop in graduation rates in exchange for a short-sighted budget fix.

Huffington Post

Faced with so many races in play, the Republicans cannot afford to have a drop-off in contributions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot afford to drop", ensure the context clearly indicates what negative consequence is being avoided. This adds weight and clarity to your statement.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "cannot afford to drop" in overly casual situations can sound unnecessarily dramatic. Consider simpler alternatives like "shouldn't lose" or "need to keep" for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot afford to drop" functions as a strong assertion of necessity. It indicates that allowing a decline or reduction in something is unacceptable due to potentially severe consequences. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use across contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot afford to drop" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to emphasize the critical importance of maintaining a standard or level. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science contexts, showing a neutral register. While effective, users should be mindful of its potential for sounding overly dramatic in informal settings. Alternatives like "cannot risk losing" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remember to ensure the context clearly defines the negative consequence being avoided. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity and widespread use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot risk losing

Focuses on the potential loss as the primary concern.

must not fail to maintain

Highlights the importance of continuous maintenance to prevent failure.

cannot permit a decline

Emphasizes the unacceptability of a decrease in something.

must prevent a reduction

Stresses the need to actively stop something from being reduced.

cannot tolerate a decrease

Indicates that a reduction is unacceptable.

must not compromise

Highlights the need to avoid making concessions that could lead to a worse outcome.

cannot sacrifice

Emphasizes the need to avoid giving something up.

cannot relinquish

Focuses on the inability to give up or let go of something.

must not diminish

Emphasizes the importance of preventing something from becoming smaller or weaker.

cannot jeopardize

Focuses on avoiding actions that would put something at risk.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot afford to drop" in a sentence?

Use "cannot afford to drop" when emphasizing the critical need to maintain or avoid diminishing something of value or importance. For instance, "In this economy, we "cannot afford to drop" our customer service standards."

What are some alternatives to "cannot afford to drop"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "cannot risk losing", "must not fail to maintain", or "cannot permit a decline".

Is it better to say "cannot afford to drop" or "can't afford to drop"?

Both "cannot afford to drop" and "can't afford to drop" are grammatically correct. "Cannot" is more formal, while "can't" is a contraction and is more appropriate for informal writing and speech.

What is the difference between "cannot afford to drop" and "cannot afford to lose"?

While similar, "cannot afford to drop" implies maintaining a current level or standard, whereas "cannot afford to lose" suggests avoiding the complete loss of something. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.