cannot make it

USAGE SUMMARY

'cannot make it' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are unable to attend something. For example: "I'm sorry but I cannot make it to the party tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Outscored by 99-30 itsits last three games, Cincinnati cannot make it to its bye week fast enough.

The New York Times

"The United Nations, with its immense bureaucracy, cannot make it alone.

The New York Times

At the same time, opera lovers who cannot make it here are increasingly able to catch its shows elsewhere.

The New York Times - Arts

"You cannot make it simpler than that.

The New York Times

We cannot make it up.

The New Yorker

"I cannot make it up," he says.

The New York Times

"I cannot make it here anymore".

The New York Times

StoreDot alone cannot make it happen".

The Guardian - Business

"You cannot make it holy just because it is disappearing".

The New York Times - Books

However hard I try, I cannot make it look good.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is only his face that cannot make it to the summer intact.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot make it" to decline an invitation, always offer a polite reason or express regret to soften the refusal.

Common error

While "cannot make it" is acceptable in most situations, it can sound too casual in highly formal settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "unable to attend" or "will be unable to be present" in professional correspondence or official communications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot make it" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate an inability to attend an event, meet a commitment, or achieve a goal. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English. It serves as a polite way to decline an invitation or express failure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot make it" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate an inability to attend an event, meet a commitment, or achieve a goal. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in various contexts, although it's crucial to consider the formality of the situation. While acceptable in most scenarios, more formal alternatives like "unable to attend" or "will be absent" may be more appropriate in professional settings. The phrase is frequently found in news media, science, and formal business communications. Mastering its usage ensures clear and polite communication across different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to attend

Focuses specifically on the inability to be present at an event.

won't be able to attend

Expresses a future inability to attend.

unable to be there

Emphasizes the physical absence from a location or event.

unable to come

A simple and direct way to express the inability to attend.

will be absent

A formal way of stating non-attendance.

unable to achieve it

Emphasizes the inability to reach a specific achievement.

unable to succeed

Shifts the focus to the inability to achieve a goal.

will not succeed

Directly states the lack of success in the future.

will not be possible

Indicates that something is not feasible or achievable.

unable to manage it

Focuses on the inability to handle a task or situation.

FAQs

How to use "cannot make it" in a sentence?

"Cannot make it" is used to express an inability to attend an event or to succeed in something. For example, "I'm sorry, I "cannot make it" to your party tonight" or "The team "cannot make it" to the finals this year".

What can I say instead of "cannot make it"?

You can use alternatives like "unable to attend", "unable to be there", or "will be absent" depending on the context.

Is "can't make it" more or less formal than "cannot make it"?

"Can't make it" is a contraction of "cannot make it" and is generally considered less formal. "Cannot make it" is slightly more formal and suitable for professional or official communications, while "can't make it" is appropriate for casual conversations.

In what situations should I avoid using "cannot make it"?

Avoid using "cannot make it" in highly formal or critical situations where a more respectful or professional tone is required. In such cases, use alternatives like "unable to attend", "regretfully decline", or provide a detailed explanation of your absence.