cannot grant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot grant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you are indicating that you are unable to provide or allow something requested. Example: "I regret to inform you that I cannot grant your request for an extension on the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Also we cannot grant any generous rebates".

The Guardian

Therefore the court cannot grant an injunction".

The Guardian

We cannot grant extensions for any application materials.

Stanford University

Under Texas law, he cannot grant clemency unless the board recommends it.

The New York Times

Because of security needs, Israel cannot grant the Palestinians a truly independent state of their own.

The New York Times

Under the bill, someone who is drunk, drugged, unconscious or asleep cannot grant consent.

The Guardian

Now he is arguing that, on constitutional grounds, the Legislature cannot grant such approval.

The New York Times

MacAskill cannot grant him a transfer while his appeal against his conviction goes through the courts.

The Guardian

But the doorkeeper says that he cannot grant admittance at the moment.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Press cannot grant permission for material to which it does not control rights.

Princeton University

Sarastro is kind, but he says he cannot grant her freedom, because she needs a man's guidance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when choosing an alternative. For formal settings, phrases like "is not authorized to provide" may be more appropriate than "can't give".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "cannot grant" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for more natural alternatives like "can't give" or "unable to offer" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot grant" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing the inability or lack of permission to give or allow something. It combines the negative auxiliary verb "cannot" with the transitive verb "grant", indicating a restriction or denial. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot grant" is a versatile phrase used to express the inability to give or allow something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is "very common" across various contexts, but primarily used in "news & media" and "academia". When choosing to use "cannot grant", consider your audience and the specific context to make sure that the phrase is suitable for the setting and does not come across as overly formal. Alternatives such as "is unable to give" or "is prohibited from giving" may be considered based on the specific nuances that need to be conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unable to give

Focuses on the lack of ability to provide something.

is not authorized to provide

Emphasizes the lack of authorization to give something.

is prohibited from giving

Highlights a formal prohibition against giving something.

is not permitted to allow

Emphasizes the lack of permission to allow something.

lacks the power to give

Focuses on the absence of power to provide something.

is ineligible to provide

Highlights ineligibility as the reason for not granting.

is denied the ability to give

Focuses on the denial of ability to grant something.

must refuse to give

Emphasizes the obligation to refuse something.

is forced to deny

Highlights the element of compulsion in denying something.

is not in a position to offer

Highlights current circumstances preventing the granting of something.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot grant" in a sentence?

You can use "cannot grant" to express the inability to provide or allow something, as in "The university "cannot grant" extensions for application materials" or "Under Texas law, he "cannot grant" clemency without a recommendation".

What are some alternatives to "cannot grant"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "is unable to give", "is not authorized to provide", or "is prohibited from giving" instead of "cannot grant".

Is it better to say "cannot grant" or "is unable to grant"?

"Cannot grant" and "is unable to grant" are largely interchangeable. "Cannot grant" is slightly more direct, while "is unable to grant" might sound slightly more formal or sympathetic. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "cannot grant" and "will not grant"?

"Cannot grant" indicates an inability or lack of authority, while "will not grant" indicates a refusal or unwillingness. For example, "The system "cannot grant" access without proper credentials" suggests a technical limitation, whereas "The manager "will not grant" the request" suggests a deliberate decision.