cannot but embrace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot but embrace" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express an unavoidable or compelled acceptance of something. Example: "After considering all the evidence, I cannot but embrace the conclusion that change is necessary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

So The Economist cannot but embrace considering the paragon of such irresponsible associations, the classic apples and oranges.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And once one is caught in Jesus' embrace, one cannot help but embrace others too.

Huffington Post

Romer's production places him in creasingly apart, bound only by an invisible umbilical cord to the brother who tolerates him but cannot embrace him.

The Guardian

But one cannot embrace the "culture of life" while advocating capital punishment or waging an unjust war, particularly when demonstrating an appalling disrespect for the lives of Muslim innocents by choosing to wage that war in their own backyard.

The New York Times

Religionists cannot embrace Humanists, but Humanists can embrace Religionists.

Huffington Post

For, no, America cannot truly embrace soccer until the blood fever of the frontier has passed and each man is content to merely 'pass it around'.

The Guardian - Sport

But embrace capitalism!

The New Yorker

Autonomy in this sense seems an irrefutable value, especially since its opposite — being guided by forces external to the self and which one cannot authentically embrace — seems to mark the height of oppression.

SEP

Davidson cannot directly embrace the first horn of this dilemma, since this would eliminate the need for independent argument, appealing to mental anomalism, to establish the token-identity of those mental events with physical events.

SEP

We wonder how anyone cannot hungrily embrace such obvious virtues.

Huffington Post

Moving forward, this means that we cannot simply embrace a strategy of focusing on formal federal legal protections.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot but embrace" when you want to express an unavoidable or compelled acceptance of something. This construction adds a touch of formality and emphasis to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot but embrace" in casual or informal contexts. Its somewhat archaic and formal tone might sound out of place in everyday conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "cannot help but embrace" or "must embrace" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot but embrace" functions as a modal expression indicating a compelled or unavoidable action. As shown in Ludwig, it is used to convey that the subject has no other option than to embrace something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot but embrace" is a relatively rare but grammatically sound expression used to convey a sense of compelled acceptance or inevitability. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in formal contexts such as news articles and academic discussions, it carries a stronger emphasis than simpler alternatives like "must embrace" or "cannot help but embrace". While correct, careful consideration should be given to the audience and context to ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot help but embrace

Replaces "cannot but" with "cannot help but", emphasizing the lack of control.

has no choice but to embrace

Directly states the lack of alternatives to embracing.

cannot avoid embracing

Substitutes "but embrace" with "avoid embracing", highlighting the impossibility of avoiding the action.

cannot resist embracing

Uses "resist" to convey the inability to oppose the act of embracing.

finds it impossible not to embrace

Expresses the difficulty in avoiding the act of embracing.

is compelled to embrace

Emphasizes the feeling of being forced or obliged to embrace.

is bound to embrace

Indicates a sense of destiny or inevitability in embracing.

is obliged to embrace

Highlights the moral or ethical duty to embrace.

must necessarily embrace

Emphasizes the necessity of embracing, often in a logical or causal context.

inevitably embraces

Focuses on the certainty and unavoidability of the embracing action.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot but embrace" to express an inevitable or compelled acceptance of something. For example: "After considering all the evidence, I "cannot but embrace" the conclusion that change is necessary."

What's a simpler alternative to "cannot but embrace"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot help but embrace" or "have no choice but to embrace" depending on the context.

Is "cannot but embrace" formal or informal?

"Cannot but embrace" leans towards a more formal tone. In informal settings, consider using phrases like "cannot help but embrace" or "must embrace".

What does "cannot but embrace" mean?

It means that one is compelled to accept or adopt something; there is no alternative.