cannot but affect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot but affect" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that something is unavoidable or certain to have an impact on something else. Example: "The news of the disaster cannot but affect the community's morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The personal, I believe, is the political and the political cannot but affect the personal.

Independent

"I do not back anti-Americanism, but this cannot but affect our relations with third countries," Mr. Ivanov added.

The New York Times

Our economies are now so entwined that a shock to one cannot but affect the other, in or out of the euro.

Independent

There are now, though, increasingly many acknowledged cases of species-level traits that cannot but affect species diversification rates, and species selection is no longer anathema in organismal evolutionary biology.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

All that extra heat being deposited into the atmosphere cannot help but affect the weather.

Yale University

Public opinion, many scholars say, cannot help but affect which cases the court accepts and how it decides them.

The New York Times

All that extra heat being deposited into the atmosphere cannot help but affect the weather, both locally and on a large scale.

Yale University

I have questioned for years and years, including in the presidential campaign of 1992, the impact of media on the culture in America because I do think it has an impact, and I think excessive violence and other destructive behavior, particularly when it's exposed to young children in huge volumes over long periods of time, cannot help but affect the way we look at the world.

Los Angeles Times

Would you rather have a leader who is honest but cannot affect change, or one who uses dishonest methods to achieve positive results?

The New York Times

The significant separation between the structure mode and sloshing modes (sloshing modes are highly flexible compared to the structure mode), changes the structural responses but cannot significantly affect the sloshing mode responses.

International Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering

He may by flight escape merited punishment; but that cannot otherwise affect the right or the power of the court.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot but affect" when you want to emphasize the inevitability of an outcome or influence. It adds a touch of formality and certainty to your writing.

Common error

While "cannot but affect" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound stilted. Consider simpler alternatives like "inevitably affects" or "certainly influences" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot but affect" functions as a modal expression indicating inevitability or certainty. It asserts that something is unavoidable in its impact, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples where political events, economic shocks, and environmental changes are described as having unavoidable effects. It's a strong assertion of cause and effect.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot but affect" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey the inevitability of an effect. While recognized as correct, according to Ludwig AI, it's more formal and somewhat less common in modern usage. It's found across News & Media, Scientific, and Academic contexts, suggesting a versatile but serious tone. For simpler, more direct communication, consider alternatives such as "inevitably affects" or "unavoidably influences". However, "cannot but affect" remains a potent choice when emphasizing certainty and a lack of alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must inevitably influence

By combining 'must' and 'inevitably', this phrase strongly emphasizes the certainty and unavoidable nature of the influence.

cannot help affecting

This variation focuses on the inability to prevent the effect, highlighting the lack of control over the outcome.

inevitably affects

This alternative replaces the more complex structure with a straightforward adverb-verb construction, simplifying the sentence while retaining the core meaning.

unavoidably influences

This phrase uses 'unavoidably' to emphasize the lack of choice in the influence, making it slightly stronger than the original.

necessarily impacts

Using 'necessarily' adds a sense of logical consequence to the impact, suggesting a cause-and-effect relationship.

certainly has an effect on

This option breaks down the phrase into simpler components, making it less formal but equally clear.

is bound to influence

This alternative highlights the predetermined nature of the influence, suggesting a lack of alternatives.

is sure to impact

This phrase expresses a high degree of confidence in the impact, emphasizing the predictability of the outcome.

will definitely affect

The adverb 'definitely' strengthens the assertion, indicating a strong and unmistakable effect.

undeniably shapes

This alternative replaces 'affect' with 'shapes', suggesting a more formative and significant impact.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot but affect" in a sentence?

Use "cannot but affect" to express that something is certain to have an impact. For example, "The economic downturn "cannot but affect" small businesses."

What are some alternatives to "cannot but affect"?

You can use alternatives such as "inevitably affects", "unavoidably influences", or "necessarily impacts" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more formal to say "cannot but affect" than "inevitably affects"?

Yes, "cannot but affect" is generally considered more formal than "inevitably affects". The former has a slightly archaic feel, while the latter is more straightforward and modern.

When should I avoid using "cannot but affect"?

Avoid using "cannot but affect" in very informal contexts or when writing for an audience that might not be familiar with the phrase. Simpler alternatives will be more readily understood.