cannot move on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot move on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an inability to progress emotionally or mentally from a situation or experience. Example: "After the breakup, she felt that she cannot move on and was stuck in her feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

This is where one or both spouses cannot move on either because of emotional problems, addictions, bitterness, and anger which keep the divorce going on forever.

Huffington Post

They cannot move on.

The New York Times

He cannot move on.

The Guardian - Books

Some of us cannot move on and accept that kind of society".

The Guardian

They cannot move on if the decision to topple Baghdad is still shrouded in mystery.

Independent

But first, someone has to persuade these deeply conservative bodies that medicine cannot move on without digitalisation and data standards.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

"If you want to be successful and you are a woman, you have to understand that there's all kinds of horrible stuff that comes with it, and you simply cannot do anything about it but move on," Ephron told me matter-of-factly one afternoon, sitting on a white Jacquard couch in the living room of her apartment, on the Upper East Side.

The New Yorker

"The irony of your making that statement here, I cannot avoid ― but we'll move on," Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) said to Comey, a clear reference to his handling of the Clinton case.  .

Huffington Post

More than 100 families who have applied for federally subsidized housing cannot move up on the list.

The New York Times

While the President links these reforms to a blanket extension of extended (up to 99 weeks) UI benefits and new federal spending, there is no reason we cannot move forward on these areas of agreement.

The New York Times

Such vehicles can, on the one hand, increase safety through automated driving, and, on the other, be a means of transportation also for people with disabilities who cannot move alone on commercial cars.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot move on", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the inability to progress is due to emotional, psychological, or practical reasons for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reason someone "cannot move on". Always provide context or explanation, or else your writing will seem unclear and dismissive of the person's real struggle. Always clarify why they are stuck.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot move on" functions as a predicate expressing an inability to progress from a situation, event, or emotional state. Ludwig AI showcases numerous examples where it describes personal struggles, societal issues, or business challenges. It indicates stagnation or a lack of forward momentum.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

14%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot move on" is a common and grammatically sound way to express an inability to progress, usually due to emotional or psychological factors. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across diverse sources, predominantly in News & Media. Alternative phrases like "unable to progress" or "stuck in the past" offer similar meanings with subtle differences. When employing "cannot move on", make sure the context makes clear whether the progress block is driven by emotional reasons, because without such context it will sound like a generic and unhelpful criticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to progress

Focuses on the lack of advancement, omitting the emotional or psychological aspect.

unable to let go

Highlights the difficulty of releasing attachment or emotional hold.

stuck in the past

Emphasizes being trapped by previous events, rather than an inability to continue forward.

unable to overcome

Highlights the inability to surpass a difficulty or challenge, focusing on overcoming something.

caught in a loop

Conveys a sense of repetition and being unable to escape a situation.

fixated on the matter

Stresses the obsessive focus on a specific issue, indicating an inability to shift attention.

dwelling on it

Highlights the act of thinking excessively about something, hindering progress.

reliving the past

Emphasizes the repeated experience of past events, preventing forward movement.

haunted by the experience

Emphasizes the lingering negative impact of an experience.

emotionally stagnant

Focuses specifically on the lack of emotional development or advancement.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says they "cannot move on"?

It typically means they are struggling to progress emotionally or psychologically from a past event or experience. They may feel stuck or unable to let go.

What can I say instead of "cannot move on"?

You can use alternatives like "unable to progress", "unable to let go", or "stuck in the past" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "cannot move on"?

Yes, "cannot move on" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity through numerous real-world examples.

How does "cannot move on" differ from "unable to move forward"?

"Cannot move on" often implies an emotional or psychological block, while "unable to move forward" is a broader term that can refer to any kind of obstacle preventing progress. So, while very similar, the original phrase is often used when you want to signal to the reader that it's an emotive reason that someone's stuck.