cannot afford to surrender

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot afford to surrender" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a situation where giving up is not an option due to financial, emotional, or strategic reasons. Example: "In this competitive market, we cannot afford to surrender; we must keep pushing forward to achieve our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But he cannot afford to surrender the inflation-fighting credentials that his predecessors fought so hard to win.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Morizo cannot afford to lose.

The Economist

We cannot afford to fail.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I cannot afford to, morally".

The New Yorker

FIFA cannot afford to filibuster.

The New York Times - Sports

Many such firms cannot afford to.

The Economist

A supplier cannot afford to ignore either.

The Economist

"We absolutely cannot afford to stand still".

The New York Times - Sports

We cannot afford to be snobs.

The New Yorker

This country cannot afford to walk away.

The New York Times

Mr Koizumi cannot afford to sack her.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot afford to surrender" when emphasizing the critical importance of not giving up, especially in situations involving high stakes or significant consequences. For instance, a company facing a financial crisis might "cannot afford to surrender" its market share.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot afford to surrender" in casual conversations or informal writing. It is a relatively formal phrase, and simpler alternatives like "can't give up" or "must keep going" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot afford to surrender" functions as a modal expression indicating a strong necessity or obligation. It highlights that yielding or giving up is not a permissible course of action in a given situation. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot afford to surrender" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey the critical importance of not giving up. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in written English. Although relatively rare, it finds its primary context in News & Media, often employed to underscore the gravity of a situation where yielding is simply not an option. Alternatives such as "must not yield" or "cannot give in" offer similar meanings, albeit with varying degrees of formality. When using "cannot afford to surrender", ensure it aligns with the seriousness of the context to avoid sounding overly dramatic in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must not yield

Replaces "afford to surrender" with a stronger emphasis on obligation.

cannot give in

Uses a more informal verb "give in" instead of "surrender".

must stand firm

Focuses on maintaining a strong position rather than explicitly mentioning surrender.

cannot back down

Implies a previous commitment and the impossibility of retracting it.

cannot concede defeat

Emphasizes the competitive aspect and the unwillingness to acknowledge loss.

must persevere

Highlights the need for continued effort and persistence.

cannot relinquish control

Focuses on maintaining authority or ownership rather than general surrender.

must not capitulate

Uses a more formal and emphatic term for surrender.

cannot compromise

Implies a situation where any concession is unacceptable.

have no choice but to fight on

Expresses the lack of alternatives to continuing the struggle.

FAQs

What does "cannot afford to surrender" mean?

It means that giving up or yielding is not a viable option due to potential negative consequences or unacceptable outcomes.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "cannot afford to surrender"?

It is appropriate in situations where the stakes are high, and the consequences of giving up are severe. It's commonly used in formal or serious contexts.

What are some alternatives to saying "cannot afford to surrender"?

You can use alternatives like "must not yield", "cannot give in", or "must persevere" depending on the context.

Is "cannot afford to surrender" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and follows standard English sentence structure. Ludwig AI confirms that it's usable in written English.