cannot be able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be able to" is grammatically incorrect and should not be used in written English.
It is redundant and does not make sense. Instead, you can use "cannot" or "will not be able to" to express the inability to do something. Example: She cannot speak French. Example: He will not be able to attend the meeting.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

For this reason, we cannot be able to prove the optimality mathematically and also cannot be able to find any closed form solution.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

The bidders cannot be able to modify and/or deny the submitted bids.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Consequently, these feedstock cannot be able to meet the amazing rising market demand for ARA.

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

This means that without the University of Dar es Salaam and other established public universities, these private universities and university colleges cannot be able to run their programmes.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

Additionally, this assay measures total DNA but cannot be able to differentiate between intact human DNA and bacterial or fungal DNA.

Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences

It is clear that such kind of programme established under this environment cannot be able to produce quality and employable graduates.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

I always make sure to save enough…You cannot really be able to determine how much money you will earn in a day and therefore how much will be saved per day, but I always try to save 500 shillings per day when the circumstances allow it.

AIDS and Behavior

"You cannot expect to be able to solve those problems simply by splashing money around".

Independent

Social workers, like others, cannot guarantee to be able to protect children (just as no doctor can guarantee that a patient will not die or a police officer cannot guarantee to be able to clear up all crimes).

The Guardian

"Even I, as head of state in this very tense situation, cannot claim to be able to control those elements".

The Guardian

Put simply you cannot expect to be able to use the fruit of someone else's labours for your own benefit.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "cannot be able to" in formal writing. It is grammatically incorrect and considered redundant. Choose simpler, more direct alternatives like "cannot" or "will not be able to".

Common error

Don't add unnecessary words when expressing inability. Using "cannot be able to" is a common mistake; instead, use a direct and clear expression to make your writing more concise and grammatically sound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be able to" functions as a negative expression of ability or possibility. However, it is grammatically flawed because it combines "cannot" (already indicating negation) with "be able to", creating a redundant structure. Ludwig AI identifies this redundancy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "cannot be able to" appears with some frequency, as Ludwig illustrates with several examples, it's considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights its redundancy: "cannot" already expresses inability. Therefore, it's best to use alternatives like "cannot", "unable to", or "will not be able to" for clearer and more grammatically sound writing. The phrase appears in both scientific publications and news media, but its incorrectness makes it unsuitable for formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot

This is the shortest and most direct way to express inability; removes the redundancy.

unable to

Replaces the verb "be" with its adjective form, creating a more concise phrase.

will not be able to

Uses "will not" to indicate future inability.

not capable of

Emphasizes a lack of inherent capacity or skill.

lack the ability to

Highlights the absence of a specific skill or capacity.

not in a position to

Suggests that external circumstances prevent action.

it is impossible to

Conveys a stronger sense of impossibility.

prohibited from

Indicates that something is formally disallowed.

not have the capacity to

Replaces 'ability' with 'capacity'.

not permitted to

Indicates a lack of authorization or permission.

FAQs

Why is "cannot be able to" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "cannot be able to" is considered incorrect because it's redundant. The word "cannot" already expresses an inability, making "be able to" unnecessary. Using just "cannot" achieves the same meaning more concisely.

What can I say instead of "cannot be able to"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot", "unable to", or "will not be able to" depending on the context.

Is it ever appropriate to use "cannot be able to"?

No, it is generally not appropriate to use "cannot be able to" in formal or informal writing. It is considered a grammatical error and should be avoided. It's always better to opt for the simpler and correct alternative, like "cannot".

What's the difference between "cannot" and "cannot be able to"?

The word "cannot" expresses inability, whereas "cannot be able to" is a redundant and grammatically incorrect phrase attempting to convey the same meaning. "Cannot" is the correct and preferred way to express that something is not possible.