cannot sanction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot sanction" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that one cannot approve, authorize, or allow something. Example: "The committee cannot sanction the proposed changes to the policy due to lack of evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

What I cannot sanction is the annoyance.

The Guardian - Opinion

As Americans, we value human rights above all else and cannot sanction their violation.

The New Yorker

We cannot sanction stops justified only by the generalized and ever present possibility that interrogation and inspection may reveal that any given motorist has committed some crime.

The New York Times

"The OAS cannot sanction a dialogue in which much of the opposition has no voice and no faith," the US objection said.

The Guardian

He continued, "We cannot sanction this result when the harm to the victim, though grave, cannot be quantified in the same way as death of the victim".

The New York Times

Fifa cannot sanction a team if they did not fight properly," said Neuberger, who is also president of the West German Soccer Federation.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"If there were even bank managers -- Mr. Ortseifen wasn't one of them -- and professional investors who didn't understand the subprime market, then we cannot criminally sanction managers for not issuing an educational explanation of that market in a press release," Mr. Hamm said.

The New York Times

The international community cannot impose sanctions on Iran for exercising rights enjoyed unimpeded by other nations.

The New York Times

They cannot impose sanctions on warring parties, except by walking away (which is not easy if this means losing funding).

The Economist

The 10 temporary members cannot block sanctions or other UN action but they can hold up important statements and slow down any unwanted proposals using procedure.

Independent

Most of all, Bremerhaven cannot be sanctioned by the state for its spending plans.It has used this freedom to spectacular effect.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot sanction" when you want to express a formal disapproval or lack of authorization for something. It is often used in legal, ethical, or official contexts.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "sanction" meaning 'to approve' (which is negated by 'cannot') with "sanctions" meaning 'penalties'. If you intend to express that penalties cannot be applied, ensure you are using the plural form, "sanctions cannot be imposed", or rephrase to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot sanction" functions as a negative declarative, expressing the inability or unwillingness to approve, authorize, or allow something. As Ludwig indicates, it is grammatically correct and conveys disapproval or prohibition. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in various contexts such as legal, ethical, and organizational decision-making.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

24%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot sanction" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey disapproval or lack of authorization. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a negative declarative, serving the purpose of formally rejecting or prohibiting something. Its register leans towards neutral to formal, making it appropriate for professional and news contexts. Ludwig examples highlight its usage across various scenarios involving legal, ethical, and organizational decisions. While related phrases like "cannot endorse" or "cannot permit" offer similar meanings, "cannot sanction" carries a distinct sense of formal disapproval. A key writing tip is to avoid confusing "sanction" (meaning approval) with "sanctions" (meaning penalties).

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot endorse

Replaces "sanction" with "endorse", focusing on a lack of public support or approval.

cannot permit

Substitutes "sanction" with "permit", indicating a lack of formal authorization or allowance.

cannot approve

Replaces "sanction" with "approve", highlighting the absence of agreement or validation.

cannot condone

Uses "condone" instead of "sanction", emphasizing a moral or ethical disapproval.

cannot tolerate

Replaces "sanction" with "tolerate", suggesting an inability to accept or endure something.

must not allow

Rephrases as an obligation not to allow, changing the grammatical structure.

will not authorize

Expresses a future refusal to authorize, shifting the focus to a future action.

do not support

Indicates a lack of backing or advocacy, changing the tone to a more general statement.

find unacceptable

Replaces the active "cannot sanction" with a passive construction expressing unacceptability.

reject outright

Implies a complete and immediate refusal, changing the emphasis to a decisive action.

FAQs

What does "cannot sanction" mean?

The phrase "cannot sanction" means to not approve or authorize something. It implies a formal disapproval or prohibition.

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

Use "cannot sanction" to indicate that an action or decision is unacceptable or will not be permitted. For example, "The board "cannot sanction" the proposed budget cuts."

What are some alternatives to "cannot sanction"?

Alternatives include "cannot endorse", "cannot permit", or "cannot approve", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "cannot sanction" and "cannot condone"?

"Cannot sanction" implies a formal disapproval or lack of authorization, while "cannot condone" suggests a moral or ethical objection. "Cannot sanction" is often used in official or legal contexts, while "cannot condone" is used more broadly.