cannot carry on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot carry on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an inability to continue with an action or task. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we cannot carry on with the project as planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The guy [King Salman] is sick, he cannot carry on a conversation for a very long time," said one former diplomat.

The Guardian

She cannot carry on".

The Guardian

Britain cannot carry on like this.

The Guardian

We cannot carry on like this.

The Guardian

But they cannot carry on like this forever.

The Economist

Quite clearly, the club cannot carry on like this.

The Guardian - Sport

"We cannot carry on this process on our own".

The New York Times

"The new government cannot carry on with this, they have to change this very, very fast.

Independent

"He just cannot carry on with the scandal so he has decided to give it up.

Independent

And spend they have.But the government cannot carry on handing out such largesse for ever.

The Economist

The European Union and Greece cannot carry on stockpiling refugees indefinitely on the Greek islands.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot carry on", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or situation is being discontinued. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot carry on" when a more precise verb would better convey the specific reason for stopping. For example, use "cannot continue" for simple cessation, but use "cannot sustain" when the issue is maintaining something over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot carry on" functions as a verb phrase expressing the inability or impossibility of continuing an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable. Examples show its usage in diverse contexts, from personal limitations to broader systemic issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

2%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot carry on" is a versatile and commonly used expression indicating the inability to continue. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it also appears in scientific and business communications. While various alternatives exist, such as "cannot continue" and "unable to proceed", "cannot carry on" effectively conveys the message of cessation or the necessity of stopping an action or process. Remember to ensure context clarity when using the phrase to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot continue

Direct synonym, replacing "carry on" with "continue" for a simpler expression.

unable to proceed

Formally expresses the inability to move forward with something.

cannot go on

Similar to "cannot carry on" but with a slightly different verb.

unable to sustain

Emphasizes the inability to maintain or support something over time.

cannot maintain

Highlights the inability to keep something at its current level or state.

forced to stop

Indicates that an external force is causing the cessation.

have to quit

More informal, suggesting the necessity of ceasing an activity.

must discontinue

Formally suggests the act of stopping something.

should cease

Suggests that stopping is advisable or necessary.

it's unsustainable

Focuses on the inherent inability of something to continue due to its nature.

FAQs

What does "cannot carry on" mean?

The phrase "cannot carry on" means being unable to continue or proceed with something. It indicates a situation where continuation is impossible or not feasible.

What can I say instead of "cannot carry on"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot continue", "unable to proceed", or "cannot go on" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "cannot carry on"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and widely used in English. Ludwig AI also confirms its correctness.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot carry on"?

It's appropriate when you want to express an inability to continue a specific action, process, or state. For example, "Due to budget cuts, we "cannot carry on" with the project".