cannot be true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be true" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express disbelief or to indicate that something is not possible or accurate. Example: "The claim that the earth is flat cannot be true, given the overwhelming evidence supporting a spherical shape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This cannot be true.

The New Yorker

Both cannot be true.

The New York Times

But this cannot be true.

The Economist

That cannot be true.

The Washington Post

It cannot be true..

The Guardian - Opinion

Well, both cannot be true.

The Guardian - Books

Surely that cannot be true?

The Guardian - Arts

And of course that cannot be true".

The New York Times

I thought, it cannot be true.

The New York Times - Arts

Both things cannot be true, however.

The Washington Post

I am sure this cannot be true, can it?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be true" to express strong disbelief or to refute a claim that contradicts established facts or logic.

Common error

While "cannot be true" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in very informal settings. Consider alternatives like "no way" or "that's not right" for a more conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be true" functions as an epistemic modal, indicating a strong degree of certainty that something is false. Ludwig AI demonstrates its use in various contexts to express disbelief or contradiction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be true" is a versatile expression used to convey strong disbelief or to refute a statement. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While highly common, it's advisable to consider the context and opt for more informal alternatives in casual conversations. Ludwig's examples highlight its function as an epistemic modal, serving the purpose of expressing disagreement and challenging claims that lack credibility. Top authoritative sources include The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

That's impossible

Directly expresses impossibility or incredulity.

That's not possible

Indicates something is unachievable or unrealizable.

That can't be the case

Expresses doubt about the veracity of a statement.

That's simply not true

Emphasizes the falsehood of a claim.

There's no way that's true

Strongly denies the possibility of something being true.

That's unbelievable

Conveys strong disbelief.

That's highly improbable

Suggests a low likelihood of something being true.

I find that hard to believe

Expresses personal skepticism.

That defies logic

Implies something is irrational or illogical.

That's a blatant lie

Indicates an obvious and deliberate untruth.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot be true" in a sentence?

Use "cannot be true" to express disagreement or disbelief with a statement. For example, "The claim that the earth is flat "cannot be true", given the overwhelming evidence supporting a spherical shape."

What are some alternatives to saying "cannot be true"?

You can use alternatives like "that's impossible", "that's not possible", or "that's simply not true" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be true"?

It's appropriate to use "cannot be true" when you want to strongly refute a statement, especially when you have evidence or logical reasoning to support your claim.

Which is more emphatic: "cannot be true" or "is not true"?

"Cannot be true" carries a stronger sense of disbelief or impossibility compared to the more neutral statement "is not true".