cannot perceive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot perceive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the inability to see, understand, or recognize something. Example: "Due to the darkness, I cannot perceive any details in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

My question is: I cannot perceive or understand infinity.

The Guardian

Most colorblind people are either green blind or cannot perceive red light to some degree.

The New York Times - Tech

What's more, conservatives detect threats to moral capital that liberals cannot perceive.

The New York Times

Total blindness refers to a person who cannot perceive light whatsoever.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The bullet was captured at 1,600 frames per second, a speed we cannot perceive with the naked eye.

The Guardian - Arts

In fact many profoundly blind people, who cannot perceive light, must cope with this de-synchronization in their daily lives.

Independent

"We cannot perceive them as people who have their own cultural lives," said Noam Ben-Zeev, a music critic for the liberal Israeli daily Haaretz.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It is instructive that Gray cannot even perceive the deep contempt for democracy revealed by these practices.

The Guardian - Books

Most insects have vision that is sensitive to ultraviolet light, which man and the other vertebrates cannot normally perceive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Entangled particles have a kind of E.S.P.: regardless of distance, they can instantly share information that an observer cannot even perceive is there.

The New Yorker

The moment seemed profound to me at the time — how often are we victimized in subtle ways that we cannot even perceive?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot perceive", ensure the context clearly indicates what is not being perceived and why. For instance, specify whether it's due to physical limitations, cognitive constraints, or external factors.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot perceive" when a stronger term like "misunderstand" or "disagree" is more appropriate. "Cannot perceive" specifically refers to a lack of sensory or cognitive awareness, not a difference in opinion or interpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot perceive" functions as a verb phrase expressing an inability to sense, detect, or understand something. Ludwig shows examples where it describes limitations in sensory perception, cognitive understanding, or even the capacity of technological systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot perceive" is a versatile expression used to indicate an inability to sense, understand, or detect something, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts—from news and media to scientific literature—make it a reliable choice in various writing scenarios. While alternatives like "unable to detect" or "fail to notice" may offer nuanced meanings, understanding the specific context is crucial for selecting the most appropriate phrase. Ludwig provides numerous examples that underline its utility in both formal and informal communication, emphasizing its role in expressing limitations and cognitive discrepancies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to detect

Focuses on the inability to sense or identify something.

fail to notice

Highlights the lack of attention or awareness.

imperceptible to

Emphasizes that something is too subtle or faint to be noticed.

beyond comprehension

Highlights the inability to understand something.

cannot comprehend

Directly states the inability to grasp or understand something.

incapable of grasping

Focuses on lacking the capacity to understand.

blind to

Implies a lack of awareness or understanding, often metaphorical.

oblivious to

Suggests a state of unawareness or inattention.

cannot discern

Focuses on the inability to distinguish or differentiate.

unable to recognize

Emphasizes the failure to identify something known previously.

FAQs

How to use "cannot perceive" in a sentence?

You can use "cannot perceive" to describe a lack of sensory awareness, such as "Due to the fog, the driver "cannot perceive" the road ahead", or to describe a lack of understanding, such as "Some people "cannot perceive" the nuances of sarcasm".

What can I say instead of "cannot perceive"?

You can use alternatives like "unable to detect", "fail to notice", or "imperceptible to" depending on the specific context. Each alternative emphasizes slightly different aspects of the inability to perceive.

Which is correct, "cannot perceive" or "can not perceive"?

"Cannot perceive" is the standard and more common form. "Can not perceive" is grammatically correct but less frequently used and may appear slightly awkward in most contexts.

What's the difference between "cannot perceive" and "cannot understand"?

"Cannot perceive" generally refers to a lack of sensory awareness or a basic cognitive inability to register something. "Cannot understand" implies a higher-level cognitive inability to grasp the meaning or implications of something. For example, you "cannot perceive" ultraviolet light, but you "cannot perceive" the theory of relativity.