cannot be content with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be content with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing dissatisfaction or a desire for more than what is currently available or acceptable. Example: "She cannot be content with just passing the exam; she aims for the highest score."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Surely, he cannot be content with the way the Mets have played.

The New York Times - Sports

A liberal government like the one we have now cannot be content with reducing benefits for all and hoping people will call that fair.

The Guardian - Opinion

We rebel against it with Helen; we cannot accept this triumph of nature without seeming to love something infinitely precious; life is a compromise, but the spirit cannot be content with mere solidities.

The Guardian - Books

We rebel against it with Helen; we cannot accept this triumph of nature without seeming to love something precious; life is a compromise, but the spirit cannot be content with mere solidities.

The Guardian - Books

Mr Clegg added: "My own view is that we simply cannot be content with the way things are.

BBC

This explains why Aristotle cannot be content with saying that formal and final causes often coincide, but he also has to defend his thesis against an opponent who denies that final causality is a genuine mode of causality.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

One thing is clear to me: one cannot be content to play a cipher.

The Guardian - Music

He cannot be content that his best hope was to turn to the promising teenager Dedryck Boyata.

The Guardian - Sport

That's why there are so many quotations insisting you can: vide the fabled Aesop: "Be content with your lot; one cannot be first in everything".

Independent

Philosophers, he concludes, cannot serve: "They dwell with them self, and be content with the tranquillity of their own mind" (CWM 1, 87).

SEP

Be content with what you have.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be content with" to express a proactive desire for improvement rather than passive dissatisfaction. For example, "The team cannot be content with mediocrity; they must strive for excellence."

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be content with" in overly passive constructions that obscure the agent of change. Instead of saying "Improvements cannot be content with", specify who should not be content with the improvements: "The engineers cannot be content with the initial improvements."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be content with" functions as a predicate, expressing a state of dissatisfaction or a desire for something more than what currently exists. Ludwig AI confirms that it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be content with" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey dissatisfaction and a desire for improvement. Ludwig AI validates its usability, suggesting it's appropriate in various contexts. It functions as a predicate, expressing a proactive stance rather than passive acceptance. While generally neutral in register, it's most frequently found in news and media sources, but also present in scientific and business writing. Consider using related phrases like "cannot settle for" or "cannot be satisfied with" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be satisfied with

Emphasizes a lack of satisfaction with the current state.

cannot settle for

Replaces "content" with "settle", suggesting a refusal to accept a less desirable situation.

refuse to be content with

Highlights a deliberate choice to not be satisfied.

cannot accept

Focuses on the inability to accept a current situation or outcome.

should not be complacent with

Suggests a need to avoid becoming overly content and passive.

find unacceptable

Expresses that something is not up to standard or is inappropriate.

cannot tolerate

Indicates an inability to put up with something, implying a stronger negative feeling.

demand better than

Conveys a strong desire for improvement and a rejection of the current situation.

must strive for more

Shifts the focus to actively pursuing a better outcome.

cannot abide by

Implies a moral or ethical objection to something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "cannot be content with" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "cannot be satisfied with" or "find unacceptable". These options convey a similar meaning with a more elevated register.

What's the difference between "cannot be content with" and "cannot accept"?

"Cannot be content with" implies a desire for something better, while "cannot accept" suggests a rejection of something as is, often due to moral or practical reasons. The first is about aspiration, the second about boundaries.

Is it grammatically correct to say "cannot be content by"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "content" in this context is "with". "Cannot be content by" is not standard English.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be content with" in writing?

Use "cannot be content with" when you want to express that a situation, result, or performance is not good enough and that further improvement or change is necessary. For example, "We "cannot be content with" these sales figures; we need to increase our marketing efforts."