cannot meet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot meet" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you're not able to meet with someone. Example sentence: I'm sorry but I cannot meet you tonight; I have a prior engagement.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The local utility cannot meet it.

The Economist

But psychiatrists still cannot meet this demand.

The New Yorker

Without a speaker, Parliament cannot meet.

The New York Times

However, they cannot meet all of the clinical requirements.

Metals for Biomedical Devices

Still, prosecutors sometimes cannot meet even that deadline.

The New York Times

But private equity alone cannot meet all Africa's investment needs.

The Economist

"We cannot meet them, and we will never meet them".

The New York Times

We cannot meet these goals without help from abroad.

The New York Times

There is no reason that California cannot meet the goal.

The New York Times

It's a responsibility, however, that we cannot meet alone.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

If ABC cannot meet its goal, layoffs will follow.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot meet", ensure the context clearly indicates what is not being met. Be specific about the unmet requirement or expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot meet" without specifying what the subject fails to satisfy. For example, instead of saying "the project cannot meet its goals", specify "the project cannot meet its deadline due to unforeseen delays".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot meet" functions as a verb phrase indicating an inability or failure to satisfy a requirement, obligation, or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot meet" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to convey an inability or failure to satisfy a requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. As demonstrated by the numerous examples gathered from diverse sources, it is widely employed in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what requirement or expectation is not being met. Alternatives like "fail to satisfy" or "unable to fulfill" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. The phrase maintains a neutral to professional tone and is an essential part of effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot satisfy

Directly states the inability to satisfy a demand or requirement.

unable to fulfill

Focuses on the inability to satisfy a requirement or obligation.

fail to satisfy

Highlights the failure to reach a desired standard or expectation.

do not satisfy

A more direct way of saying something does not meet the necessary criteria.

unable to comply

Emphasizes a lack of conformity to rules or standards.

fall short of

Indicates that something doesn't reach a required level or amount.

do not fulfill

Similar to "fail to satisfy", but can apply to promises or expectations.

incapable of achieving

Emphasizes the lack of ability to reach a specific goal or outcome.

unable to achieve

Similar to 'incapable of achieving', but slightly less formal.

is not able to fulfill

A more elaborate way of expressing the inability to meet requirements.

FAQs

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

You can use "cannot meet" to express an inability to fulfill a requirement, obligation, or expectation. For example, "The company "cannot meet" the rising demand for its products".

What are some alternatives to "cannot meet"?

Alternatives include "fail to satisfy", "unable to fulfill", or "fall short of", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "cannot meet" and "cannot satisfy"?

"Cannot meet" generally implies a failure to reach a specific standard or requirement. "Cannot satisfy" implies a failure to fulfill a need or demand. They are often interchangeable but can have subtle differences in connotation. For example: "The budget "cannot meet" the project's needs" versus "The product "cannot satisfy" customer expectations".

Is it more formal to say "cannot meet" or "is unable to meet"?

"Is unable to meet" is slightly more formal than "cannot meet". Both are acceptable in most professional contexts, but "is unable to meet" may be preferred in more formal written communication. For example: "The supplier is unable to meet the agreed upon delivery date" sounds more formal than "The supplier "cannot meet" the agreed upon delivery date".