could not do more than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not do more than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a limitation in one's ability to achieve or provide something beyond a certain point. Example: "Despite my best efforts, I could not do more than offer my support during the difficult times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He began his own four lengths of the pool with a comfortable lead and even Agnel, who swam faster than Phelps, could not do more than eat into a small chunk of that gap.

The Guardian - Sport

Chelsea's reaction as a club was fantastic; we could not do more than we did.

BBC

They appeared to provide forthright and candid responses and gave the impression that they wanted to do better for those children and their families but felt helpless to do so and frustrated that they could not do more than refer for tooth extraction.

BMC Oral Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I couldn't do more than I had," he said.

The New York Times

I couldn't do more than giggle and tremble in Griffin's general vicinity.

The New Yorker

"In our haste and because we lacked sufficient resources, we couldn't do more than go for the head of the snake," said Judith Yaphe, a former CIA analyst now at the National Defense University.

The Washington Post

"We couldn't do more than what we did".

Science Magazine

Despite having runners on base in all but one inning--the third--the Dodgers couldn't do more than halve the Cardinal lead.

Los Angeles Times

On days I couldn't do more than open the door to let him out and back in, he would lie on the bed next to me.

HuffPost

This was married with a French St-Emilion, which I couldn't do more than sip to appreciate at this point, as four glasses of wine into the meal I was forced to realize my limit.

Huffington Post

Doing it in Los Angeles, unless a doctor limits himself to the Westside, he really couldn't do more than eight or nine house calls in 10 hours". As he wrote on his blog in 2012, "I never considered myself unique until I tried to find a helper.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could not do more than", provide context on why the limitation exists. Explaining the factors that impose the restriction enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "could not do more than" when describing situations where further effort or resources could realistically lead to improvement. Ensure the limitation is genuine and not simply a lack of commitment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not do more than" functions as a limiter, defining the boundaries of actions or abilities. Ludwig AI examples show it used to express the maximum extent of an action in a given context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could not do more than" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for indicating a limitation in one's ability to act or achieve beyond a certain point. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides several examples from reputable sources. It is most commonly found in news and scientific contexts to clearly define restrictions. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "could only do" or "was limited to" depending on the nuances you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could only do

Focuses on the single, limited action possible.

was limited to

Highlights the restriction placed on potential actions.

couldn't exceed

Emphasizes an upper bound that could not be surpassed.

was unable to surpass

Stresses the inability to go beyond a certain point.

could at best

Indicates the most optimistic outcome or action possible.

the most that could be done was

Highlights that only one action was possible.

could achieve no more than

Focuses on the limited achievement possible.

was restricted to

Emphasizes restriction in the types of actions.

could barely manage to

Highlights that only basic actions are possible.

was at the limit of

Describes being at the threshold of an action.

FAQs

How can I use "could not do more than" in a sentence?

Use "could not do more than" to indicate the maximum extent of effort or achievement possible in a particular situation. For instance, "Despite our best efforts, we "could not do more than" offer financial assistance".

What are some alternatives to "could not do more than"?

Alternatives include "was limited to", "could only do", or "couldn't exceed", each emphasizing a restriction or boundary in ability or action.

Is it grammatically correct to say "couldn't do more than"?

Yes, "couldn't do more than" is a grammatically correct contraction of "could not do more than", and they both convey the same meaning of being unable to exceed a certain limit.

What is the difference between "could not do more than" and "could do no more than"?

Both phrases express a limitation, but "could do no more than" emphasizes the finality or the ultimate extent of the action. "Could not do more than" is slightly more neutral in tone, whereas "could do no more than" can suggest a sense of resignation or the exhaustion of all options.