cannot associate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot associate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an inability to connect or relate to something or someone. Example: "I cannot associate the smell of fresh bread with any particular memory from my childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

'After 18 years of Tory government, you cannot associate images of the present with Labour.

The Guardian

"She said on the telephone she cannot associate with a criminal," Mr. Aoki says.

The New York Times

You cannot associate with an America-bashing preacher or invent a story about braving sniper fire while landing in a quiet airport in Tuzla without paying a price.

The Economist

"They're growing into a national media vendetta that I cannot associate my name to," state House Speaker Pro Tem Terry Haskins, a Bob Jones alumnus, said Monday.

The New York Times

However, expression of ephrinB2-Δ4, whicannotnot associate with TBC1d24, failed to decrease the co-localisation (Supplementary Fig. 3h; Supplementary movie 3).

Nature

However I cannot associate myself with your point of view, much less with that expressed by Bertrand Russell [who at this point was vehemently anti-communist].

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Although we cannot clearly associate the tortoise carapaces with Grave VIII (Figure 3), articulated tortoise remains are not found in any other contexts at the site.

Plosone

Therefore, these studies cannot statistically associate specific occupational and personal risk factors with increased CHD risks.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

The data clearly show that eEF2K cannot stably associate with CaM in the absence of Ca2+ ions at either pH in this type of assay.

Biochemical Journal

This study corroborates previous studies showing increased liver cancer mortality, but we cannot clearly associate rectal, stomach, and intestinal cancers with PCB exposure.

Environmental Health Perspectives

It is shown that in case of frictional particles the plastic macro strain cannot be associated, while it is associated in case of frictionless particles.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot associate", ensure the context clearly identifies what two elements are not being linked or related. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because two things occur together, you can "cannot associate" them in a meaningful way. Ensure a logical or causal disconnect exists before using this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot associate" functions as a negative verb phrase expressing the inability to establish a connection or relationship between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a usable phrase in written English. Examples demonstrate its usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot associate" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that conveys an inability to establish a connection or relationship between two entities. As Ludwig AI underlines, the phrase is indeed valid and serves to express the absence of a link. Its usage spans across various contexts, including science, news media, and academia. When writing, ensure clarity by explicitly stating what is not being associated. Common errors involve mistaking correlation for a genuine relationship. Alternative phrases include "unable to connect" or "cannot relate". Key authoritative sources are The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to connect

Focuses on the lack of a direct connection between two things.

cannot relate

Emphasizes a lack of personal understanding or empathy.

unable to link

Highlights the absence of a logical or causal link.

cannot connect the dots

Implies an inability to understand the relationship between different pieces of information.

unable to identify

Highlights the impossibility of recognizing or establishing something.

cannot make a connection

Stresses the absence of a formed link or relationship.

fails to correspond

Highlights the dissimilarity or mismatch between two things.

does not correlate

Indicates the lack of a statistical relationship.

cannot draw parallels

Emphasizes the inability to find similarities.

does not align

Suggests a lack of agreement or harmony.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot associate" to express an inability to connect or relate two things. For example, "We "cannot associate" this with any coalition strikes in the area."

What are some alternatives to "cannot associate"?

Alternatives include "unable to connect", "cannot relate", or "unable to link", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "cannot associate" or "can not associate"?

"Cannot associate" is the standard and more common form. "Can not associate" is grammatically correct but less frequently used.

What's the difference between "cannot associate" and "cannot relate"?

"Cannot associate" generally refers to an inability to connect two distinct entities or concepts, while "cannot relate" usually expresses a lack of personal understanding or empathy. In general, "cannot relate" is used in connection with emotions or experiences.