cannot but lean

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot but lean" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express an unavoidable inclination or tendency towards something. Example: "Given the overwhelming evidence, I cannot but lean towards the conclusion that we need to change our approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He cannot but lean towards his "Val", his eyes calm, his features relaxed and gentle.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

When a story is told with passion and conviction, the listener cannot help but lean in.

The Guardian

But Peter Claire is separate from everything, cannot lean on any object, cannot rest.

The Guardian - Books

The reduced IGF-1 level suggests that GH is likely decreased in the older Ghsr-/ mice, but it cannot explain the lean phenotype.

Plosone

Gareth Southgate, some bookies' favourite for the role, cannot simply lean on success in the Toulon Under-21 tournament earlier this summer as reason to be given the job.

The Guardian - Sport

The worldwide correlation of price and capital-flow movements suggests that central bankers sitting in one corner of the world cannot easily lean against a barrage of investment coming from another corner.

The Economist

The worldwide correlation of price and capital-flow movements suggests that central bankers sitting in one corner of the world cannot easily lean against a barrage of investment coming from another corner.Exactly as emerging-market finance ministers complain, this global financial cycle is influenced by rich-world monetary policy.

The Economist

Lean in, for sure, but lean soon!

Huffington Post

3 One possible way to achieve this is by implementing Lean; however, an organisation cannot become Lean overnight.

BMJ Open

He cannot lean on his serve forever, cannot hold time off indefinitely.

The New York Times - Sports

And Kromer cannot lean on General Manager Mickey Loomis, who is suspended for eight games.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot but lean" sparingly to maintain its impact. Overuse can make your writing sound overly formal or archaic.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot but lean" interchangeably with other similar but more common phrases such as "cannot help but lean". While the meaning is similar, the subtle difference in tone can affect the overall impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot but lean" functions as a modal phrase expressing a sense of inevitability or compulsion. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. It indicates that the subject is almost forced to lean in a particular direction, whether literally or figuratively.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot but lean" is a grammatically valid, albeit somewhat uncommon, expression used to convey an unavoidable inclination or tendency. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides real-world examples. While alternatives like "cannot help but lean" are more frequently used in contemporary English, understanding the nuance of "cannot but lean" can enrich one's writing. It appears most often in news and media and science contexts. Be mindful of its formal tone and consider its impact when choosing it over more common alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot help but lean

Replaces "cannot but" with the more common "cannot help but", maintaining the meaning of unavoidable inclination.

cannot avoid leaning

Substitutes "but lean" with "avoid leaning", preserving the sense of inevitability.

is compelled to lean

Replaces the modal "cannot but" with "is compelled to", emphasizing the force driving the action.

is inclined to lean

Uses "is inclined to" to suggest a natural tendency rather than a strict inevitability.

naturally leans

Simplifies the phrase to indicate a spontaneous or inherent action.

has a tendency to lean

Highlights the habitual nature of leaning in a certain direction or towards a certain opinion.

is predisposed to lean

Suggests a pre-existing disposition or bias towards leaning.

finds it impossible not to lean

Emphasizes the impossibility of resisting the urge to lean.

cannot resist leaning

Focuses on the inability to resist the action of leaning.

inevitably leans

Highlights the inevitability of the action, suggesting it is unavoidable.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot but lean" to express an unavoidable inclination or tendency. For example, "Given the evidence, one "cannot but lean" towards that conclusion".

What does "cannot but lean" mean?

"Cannot but lean" signifies that someone feels compelled or is inevitably drawn to a particular action or opinion.

Which is correct, "cannot but lean" or "cannot help but lean"?

Both "cannot but lean" and "cannot help but lean" are grammatically correct, but the latter is more commonly used in contemporary English.

What are some alternatives to "cannot but lean"?

Alternatives include "cannot avoid leaning", "is compelled to lean", or "is inclined to lean", which offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.