cannot do without

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot do without" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiomatic phrase. You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that something is absolutely necessary. Example: We cannot do without a good education system.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some cannot do without.

The New Yorker

"They think they cannot do without it".

The New York Times

I cannot do without it".

The New York Times

Character is something that good fiction supposedly cannot do without.

Columbia University

We probably cannot do without "Against [X]," however.

The New Yorker

You cannot do without Vienna in a way.

The New York Times - Arts

This road we must take; we cannot do without it".

The New York Times

"This country cannot do without immigrants," Cisse said.

The New York Times

New York and Ewing cannot do without each other.

The New York Times - Sports

However, it cannot do without taking samples of the soil itself.

Developments in Soil Science

Collection, transfer and storage of solid waste cannot do without hoisting work.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot do without", ensure the context clearly indicates what is indispensable and why. Avoid vague statements; be specific about the necessity.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot do without" for items that are merely preferred or convenient. This phrase should be reserved for genuine necessities; otherwise, it weakens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot do without" functions as a modal idiom expressing strong necessity or indispensability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It emphasizes that the subject is essential and the absence of it would cause significant problems or impossibility to proceed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

5%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot do without" is a correct and widely used idiom to express that something is absolutely necessary. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business writing. While there are many alternative ways to express the same sentiment, like "is essential" or "must have", "cannot do without" provides a direct and emphatic way to convey indispensability. When using this phrase, ensure the necessity is genuine and clearly articulated to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot manage without

Focuses on the difficulty of functioning or managing a task in the absence of something.

cannot function without

Highlights the impaired operational capability in the absence of something.

is essential

Highlights the fundamental importance of something.

is vital

Stresses the importance of something for the survival or proper functioning of something else.

is indispensable

Emphasizes the crucial and irreplaceable nature of something.

is crucial

Underscores the critical importance of something to the outcome.

is a necessity

Turns the need into a concrete requirement.

must have

Focuses on the necessity of possession, rather than the inability to function without it.

is needed

Indicates a requirement or lack that needs to be fulfilled.

requires

States a prerequisite or condition for something to occur.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot do without" in a sentence?

Use "cannot do without" to express that something is essential or indispensable. For example, "A car is something that many people "cannot do without" in suburban areas".

What's a more formal way to say "cannot do without"?

Formal alternatives include "is indispensable", "is essential", or "is a necessity". For example, instead of "We "cannot do without" funding for education", you could say "Funding for education "is indispensable"".

Are there any synonyms for "cannot do without" that I can use in my writing?

Yes, you can use synonyms like "must have", "cannot manage without", or "is vital" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "cannot do without" in academic writing?

Yes, "cannot do without" is acceptable in academic writing, particularly when emphasizing the necessity of a specific element. However, ensure your usage is clear and precise to maintain a professional tone. Alternatives like "is essential" might be preferred in some contexts.