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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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he can't stand

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He can't stand up.

News & Media

The New Yorker

He can't stand bullshit".

He can't stand it.

News & Media

The New Yorker

But he can't stand there all day.

News & Media

The New Yorker

He can't stand new bricks.

News & Media

The New Yorker

He can't stand that word "Uncle".

News & Media

The Guardian

There's no doubt he can't stand us.

News & Media

The New York Times

Food he can't stand: "Airplane food.

He can't sit, he can't stand.

News & Media

The New York Times

He can't stand reading, and he'll tell you that".

At the same time, he can't stand to be alone.

News & Media

The New Yorker
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he can't stand" to express a strong aversion or inability to tolerate something. It's appropriate for informal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "he can't stand" in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more formal alternatives such as "he cannot tolerate" or "he finds unacceptable".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he can't stand" functions as a verb phrase expressing a strong dislike or inability to tolerate something. Ludwig examples show it used to describe a person's aversion to a variety of things, from abstract concepts to tangible objects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he can't stand" is a common and accepted way to express a strong dislike or intolerance. Ludwig's analysis shows it is grammatically correct and frequently used in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the formality of your writing; for professional or academic settings, more formal alternatives like "he cannot tolerate" may be more appropriate. With a high expert rating and a range of semantically similar phrases, "he can't stand" remains a valuable addition to one's expressive toolkit.

FAQs

What does "he can't stand" mean?

The phrase "he can't stand" means that he strongly dislikes or cannot tolerate something. It indicates a strong aversion or inability to endure a particular thing or situation.

How to use "he can't stand" in a sentence?

You can use "he can't stand" in a sentence to express a strong dislike or intolerance. For example, "He can't stand the noise of the city" or "He can't stand people who are late."

What can I say instead of "he can't stand"?

You can use alternatives like "he cannot tolerate", "he detests", or "he dislikes intensely" depending on the context.

Is "he can't stand" formal or informal?

"He can't stand" is generally considered informal to neutral. In more formal writing, consider using alternatives like "he cannot tolerate" or "he finds unacceptable".

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Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: