cannot cope with

USAGE SUMMARY

"cannot cope with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express difficulty in dealing with a situation or struggling to accept something. Example: The recent losses have been difficult to handle; I simply cannot cope with another failure.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What she can and cannot cope with.

The Guardian - Music

Britain's infrastructure cannot cope with more people.

The Economist

France cannot cope with the shortcomings of its republican model.

The Guardian

"The state cannot cope with the demands of modern education.

The Guardian - Opinion

We cannot cope with another mass wave of immigration".

Independent

"They just can't cope, they simply cannot cope with this".

Independent

Even the most sympathetically drafted law cannot cope with that.

The Economist

It cannot cope with all that we demand of it.

Independent

He is a compulsive gambler and turns to gamble when he cannot cope with life.

The Guardian

As countries rush to redistribute their supplies, certain pipelines simply cannot cope with the increased flow.

MIT Technology Review

At the same time, he cannot cope with the status quo as his predecessors have.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot cope with", ensure the context clearly identifies what is causing the inability to cope. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot cope with" as a blanket statement. Instead, specify the particular aspects or situations that are proving unmanageable. For example, instead of saying "I cannot cope with life", be more specific: "I cannot cope with the demands of my new job".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot cope with" functions as a verb phrase indicating an inability or difficulty in managing, handling, or dealing with something. Ludwig's examples show its use across various contexts, from personal struggles to systemic failures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot cope with" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression that conveys an inability to manage or deal with a particular situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific sources. When using this phrase, be specific about what is causing the difficulty, and consider alternative phrases like "unable to handle" or "overwhelmed by" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to handle

Focuses on the lack of capability to manage something, emphasizing a lack of skill or resources.

incapable of dealing with

Highlights a fundamental inability to manage a situation, often implying a more profound lack of competence.

cannot manage

Indicates a lack of capacity to control or direct something effectively.

overwhelmed by

Suggests a feeling of being inundated and unable to process or respond effectively to something.

struggling with

Emphasizes the difficulty and effort involved in trying to manage a situation, often implying a lack of success.

finding it hard to deal with

Highlights the difficulty experienced in addressing a situation, emphasizing the subjective experience of hardship.

at wit's end with

Suggests a state of frustration and exhaustion, indicating that one has run out of ideas or solutions.

out of one's depth with

Indicates that a situation is beyond one's skill or understanding, implying a lack of preparedness or knowledge.

unequal to the task

Implies a deficiency in the necessary qualities or abilities to handle a specific task or challenge.

cannot stomach

Expresses a strong aversion or inability to accept something, often used in more informal contexts.

FAQs

What does "cannot cope with" mean?

The phrase "cannot cope with" means being unable to deal with or manage a difficult situation, task, or feeling. It indicates a lack of ability to handle something effectively.

How can I use "cannot cope with" in a sentence?

You can use "cannot cope with" to describe someone's inability to manage something. For example, "After the disaster, the city "was unable to handle" the influx of refugees".

What are some alternatives to "cannot cope with"?

Alternatives include "unable to handle", "incapable of dealing with", or "overwhelmed by", depending on the specific context.

Is "cannot cope with" formal or informal?

"Cannot cope with" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, you might choose a more sophisticated alternative like "unequal to the task" or "incapable of dealing with".