could no longer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could no longer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has stopped happening, or has run out. For example: "The water in the pool had evaporated so quickly that we soon realized we could no longer swim."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

She could no longer work.

The New York Times

Monson could no longer walk.

The New Yorker

But the defence could no longer cope.

Independent

Until even it could no longer survive.

The New York Times

Morgan could no longer sleep at night.

The New Yorker

She could no longer sing professionally.

The New York Times - Science

Journeymen could no longer anticipate becoming masters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then she could no longer stand.

The New Yorker

Rising expectations could no longer be met.

The New York Times

He could no longer work with Abramson.

The New Yorker

Municipal traffic could no longer be rerouted.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could no longer" to clearly indicate a change in ability or circumstance, ensuring the context makes the reason for the change evident.

Common error

Avoid using "could no longer" when "can no longer" is more appropriate for present or future scenarios. "Could" implies a past inability, while "can" addresses current or upcoming situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could no longer" functions as a modal phrase expressing past inability or cessation of an action. It indicates that a subject was previously capable of something but is not anymore. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically sound and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

4%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could no longer" is a grammatically correct and very common modal phrase used to indicate a past inability or the cessation of an action. According to Ludwig, its versatility allows for use in various contexts, particularly in news and media, while maintaining a neutral register. To ensure proper usage, remember to use "could" to signal the past and avoid double negatives. Alternatives such as "was no longer able to" can be employed for semantic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was no longer able to

Emphasizes the lack of ability rather than the cessation of action.

was not able to continue

Focuses on the inability to proceed with an action.

became impossible to

Stresses the infeasibility of continuing.

was incapable of continuing

Focuses on the lack of capacity to proceed.

had to stop

Indicates a forced or necessary halt to an action.

ceased to be able to

Highlights the change in ability.

could not keep

Emphasizes the inability to maintain a state or action.

was forced to quit

Highlights the mandatory nature of ceasing the action.

reached a point where it was impossible to

More elaborate way to express the impossibility.

was time to give up

Highlights the abandonment of the action, for various reasons.

FAQs

How do I use "could no longer" in a sentence?

Use "could no longer" to indicate that someone or something was previously able to do something, but is no longer able to do it. For example, "He "could no longer walk" after the accident".

What are some alternatives to "could no longer"?

Alternatives include "was no longer able to", "was not able to continue", or "had to stop", depending on the specific context.

Is "couldn't no longer" grammatically correct?

No, "couldn't no longer" is grammatically incorrect. It's a double negative. The correct phrase is "could no longer".

What is the difference between "can no longer" and "could no longer"?

"Can no longer" refers to a present inability, while "could no longer" refers to a past inability. Use "can" for current situations and "could" for past situations.