cannot but agree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot but agree" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to express strong agreement with an opinion or idea. For example: "I cannot but agree that the economy needs to be addressed by our government."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Now he has come up with another, and one cannot but agree with him.

The New Yorker

Letters are welcome via e-mail to [email protected] TurkeySIR As a Cypriot who is still suffering the consequences of the Turkish invasion of 1974, I cannot but agree with your general position that Turkey and Europe need each other ("Dark in the east", August 1st).

The Economist

9.1 Moving On or Moving Out? "In the end, the reader cannot but agree with the authors when they write in the conclusion that 'personality matters both theoretically and empirically'..

University of Chicago

As things stand now, we cannot but agree with what was recently stated by Bigal et al.: "The ultimate question that needs to be discussed by the scientific community is not how to better classify migraine overuse headache, but if migraine overuse headache should exist as a single entity or is more appropriately viewed as a risk factor" [36].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

This, however, seems so unreasonable, that we cannot but agree with Niebuhr in supposing that the historian was misled by the custom of his own time, when a full year had long been the stipulated term of a soldier's pay as well as of his service.

University of Chicago

Considering all this, we cannot but agree that the awareness that complex, intertwined SDH pathways underlie distribution of disease and risk of disease is of major importance.

Global Health Action

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

And I cannot help but agree with their enthusiasm.

Princeton University

It is a verdict with which one cannot help but agree.

The Guardian

Reading "The Bridge" today, however, one cannot help but agree with the verdict of its first critics — that it is an impressive failure.

The New Yorker

Thus, one cannot help but agree with Michael Bishop and Harold Varmus that the way forward lies in "making common cause with the leadership of NIH 2 and joining forces.

Nature

To the Editor: I cannot help but agree with Lauren Sandler on some things, since I have an only child, a son who has grown up well adjusted, smart and happy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context of your writing. While "cannot but agree" is grammatically correct, it can sound somewhat formal or archaic. Ensure it aligns with the overall tone and style of your piece.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot but agree" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formal tone may sound stilted or unnatural in those settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I agree" or "I have to agree" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot but agree" functions as an emphatic expression of agreement. It suggests that, given the circumstances or evidence, there is no other reasonable conclusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is indeed correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot but agree" is a grammatically correct and usable expression used to convey strong agreement or a sense of inevitability. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, further supported by examples from reliable sources across academia, news, and science. While the phrase is relatively uncommon, it is most frequently found in formal contexts and is often used to express a well-reasoned judgment. When incorporating this phrase into your writing, consider the overall tone and register, opting for simpler alternatives in casual settings. Similar phrases include "must concur" and "inevitably agree", offering nuanced variations of compelled agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is impossible not to agree

Emphasizes the compelling nature of the agreement.

cannot help agreeing

Changes the structure while retaining the sense of compelled agreement.

one is compelled to agree

Uses impersonal construction to express forced agreement.

must concur

Replaces 'cannot but' with 'must', implying obligation in agreement.

undeniably agree

Expresses agreement and removes any doubt about the agreement.

am compelled to agree

Expresses agreement as a result of feeling forced or obliged.

have no choice but to agree

Highlights the lack of alternatives to agreeing.

am bound to agree

Indicates a sense of duty or obligation leading to agreement.

inevitably agree

Substitutes 'cannot but' with 'inevitably', emphasizing the unavoidable nature of the agreement.

find myself in agreement

Shifts the focus to the speaker's personal experience of agreeing.

FAQs

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

The phrase "cannot but agree" is used to express strong agreement or a feeling of inevitability. For example, "Given the evidence, one cannot but agree with the conclusion."

What phrases are similar to "cannot but agree"?

Alternatives include "must concur", "inevitably agree", or "cannot help agreeing". Choose the best option depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "cannot but agree" formal or informal?

"Cannot but agree" leans towards the formal side. It's best used in academic, professional, or news-related contexts. For more casual situations, consider a simpler alternative.

Is it "cannot but agree" or "cannot help but agree"? Which is correct?

Both "cannot but agree" and "cannot help but agree" are grammatically correct, although the former is more formal and somewhat less common. "Cannot help but agree" may be preferred in less formal contexts, but "cannot but agree" offers a more concise expression of strong agreement.