cannot stand on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot stand on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express an inability to support or tolerate something, often in a figurative sense. Example: "I cannot stand on the idea that we should ignore the problem; we need to address it head-on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Taken as a whole, they constitute a burning platform that the industry cannot stand on much longer.

Huffington Post

"Mm-mm, girl, you need to take a walk up in here one day — you cannot stand on a Bushwick corner and not see a bodega — some corners have two and even three!" Mr. Sapienza wrote in defense of his neighborhood.

The New York Times

Buildings cannot stand on air".

The New York Times

It cannot stand on its own.

The Guardian - Books

"The government cannot stand on its promises," he said.

The New York Times

They cannot stand on their own like the clothes of the great couturiers".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Society decrees that they do not belong as other members of society belong; they cannot stand for parliament or sit on a jury, for instance.

The Guardian

The chairman of the group Californians for Retirement Security, David Low's response to Brown's plan was: "We simply cannot stand for imposing additional retirement rollbacks on millions of workers without bargaining".

Huffington Post

It is chump change compared with the $350 billion in loans and guarantees to one bank alone, Citigroup, which still cannot stand steadily on its own feet.

Huffington Post

"People who are control freaks cannot stand flying on airplanes," he said.

The New York Times

And how does it avoid becoming a crutch for markets that cannot stand up on their own?Politicians have asked the Fed to favour certain industries or keep interest rates low almost from its birth.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase in the context of physical inability, ensure the context clearly indicates a physical limitation or condition: "After the surgery, I "cannot stand on" my feet for long periods."

Common error

Avoid using "cannot stand on" literally when describing physical situations unless it's explicitly about a physical limitation. Overusing it in everyday descriptions can sound unnatural. For instance, instead of saying "I "cannot stand on" this chair," a more natural phrasing would be "I can't stand on this chair."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot stand on" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing an inability to remain stable or support something, either physically or figuratively. Ludwig AI validates its use in expressing unsustainable situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot stand on" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey the instability or unsustainability of something. It is often employed figuratively to describe situations that lack a solid foundation or are on the brink of collapse. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While the phrase appears across different contexts, it's most prevalent in news and media, followed by science and formal business settings. Alternatives like "cannot tolerate" or "unable to bear" can be used depending on the specific context. When using "cannot stand on", ensure that the context clearly reflects the intended meaning, whether it's a physical limitation or a figurative representation of unsustainability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot tolerate

Focuses specifically on intolerance or aversion.

unable to bear

Emphasizes the inability to endure or withstand something.

cannot endure

Similar to "unable to bear", but implies a more prolonged or intense inability to tolerate.

cannot stomach

Expresses strong aversion or disgust towards something.

cannot abide

A more formal way of expressing strong dislike or intolerance.

incapable of supporting

Highlights the inability to provide support or justification for something.

unable to justify

Focuses on the lack of valid reasons or evidence to support something.

must be self-sufficient

Emphasizes the need for independence and self-reliance.

must be independent

Similar to "must be self-sufficient", but with a broader focus on autonomy.

cannot rely on

Highlights a lack of dependability or trustworthiness.

FAQs

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

Generally, ""cannot stand on"" is used figuratively to express that something is unsustainable or untenable. It implies that the subject is unable to continue in its current condition or support itself without changes.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot stand on" in a sentence?

Use ""cannot stand on"" when you want to convey that a situation, system, or entity is failing and needs intervention or change to survive. It's also valid when specifically discussing physical limitations.

What are some alternatives to "cannot stand on" that I can use?

Alternatives include "cannot tolerate", "unable to bear", or "incapable of supporting depending on the context".

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

Yes, ""cannot stand on"" is grammatically correct. It's a valid phrase used to express an inability to support something either physically or figuratively.