could not change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not change" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express an inability to alter a situation, decision, or condition in the past. Example: "Despite my efforts, I realized that I could not change the outcome of the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They could not change anything.

The New York Times - Sports

That art could not change anything.

The Guardian

But he could not change minds.

The New York Times

The son, though he tried, could not change.

The New Yorker

But she could not change her basic genetics.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I faced a situation that I could not change.

The New York Times

The Obama administration could not change its mind.

The New York Times

I was grieved and disappointed at finding that I could not change her; and she was humiliated and irritated at finding that she could not change me".

The New York Times

Under admission rules, the students could not change their minds after learning their scores.

The New York Times

All Fox proved -- inevitably -- was that "The Leopard" could not change its spots.

The New York Times

The Muslims could not change this pattern, and they had no particular problem with Buddhism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could not change", ensure the context clearly indicates what could not be altered and why. This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "could not change" in situations where a partial or gradual adjustment was possible. The phrase implies a complete inability to alter something, so use it accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not change" functions as a negative modal construction, indicating the inability to perform an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use across diverse contexts to express the impossibility of altering a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could not change" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express the inability to alter something. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's widely applicable across various contexts, primarily in news and media, science, and formal business settings. The phrase conveys a sense of impossibility or lack of agency, and while several alternatives exist, such as "was unable to alter" or "was incapable of modifying", "could not change" remains a common and effective choice for expressing this concept. Remember to use it accurately to reflect a true inability to change, and not merely a lack of action or a choice not to change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unable to alter

Replaces "could" with "was able", slightly more formal.

was incapable of modifying

Uses "incapable" instead of "unable", emphasizing lack of capacity.

failed to transform

Focuses on the lack of successful transformation.

was powerless to affect

Highlights the lack of power or influence to make a difference.

had no influence on

Emphasizes the absence of impact or control.

found it impossible to adjust

Highlights the perceived impossibility of the change.

couldn't revise

A more informal contraction of could not, combined with a more specific verb.

was beyond my control to amend

Indicates that the situation was unmanageable and impossible to fix.

lacked the ability to convert

Emphasizes a deficiency in the means needed for alteration.

was in no position to reshape

Highlights the unfavorable circumstances preventing change.

FAQs

How can I use "could not change" in a sentence?

Use "could not change" to describe a past situation where alteration was impossible. For example: "Despite my efforts, I "could not change" the outcome."

What are some alternatives to "could not change"?

Alternatives include "was unable to alter", "was incapable of modifying", or "failed to transform", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "could not changed" instead of "could not change"?

No, "could not changed" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""could not change"", where "change" is the base form of the verb.

What's the difference between "could not change" and "did not change"?

"Could not change" implies an inability to make a change, while "did not change" suggests a choice or lack of action. The former indicates a lack of possibility, the latter a lack of action.