he cannot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he cannot" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express inability or impossibility regarding a subject. Example: "He cannot attend the meeting due to a prior commitment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He cannot do that alone.

The New York Times

He cannot pass back.

WikiHow

He cannot vote.

The New York Times

He cannot speak.

The New York Times - Books

He cannot anymore.

The New York Times

He cannot disguise himself.

The New York Times - Books

He says he cannot.

The New Yorker

He cannot fill yours".

The New Yorker

He cannot change back.

The New York Times - Books

Manifestly, he cannot.

The New Yorker

"He cannot prescribe anything.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he cannot" to express a direct inability or prohibition. Choose synonyms for a more formal or nuanced tone.

Common error

While "he cannot" and "he can't" are interchangeable in many contexts, avoid contractions like "can't" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for "he cannot" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he cannot" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing an inability, prohibition, or impossibility. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across various subjects and situations, affirming its role in conveying a lack of capacity or permission.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

13%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he cannot" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote inability or prohibition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It’s prevalent in news, media and academic contexts. While synonyms like "he is unable to" exist, "he cannot" provides a direct and clear way to convey limitations. When choosing between "he cannot" and "he can't", consider the formality of your writing, opting for the former in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

He is unable to

This is a formal alternative, replacing the contraction "cannot" with "is unable to".

He is not able to

This alternative explicitly states the lack of ability.

He is incapable of

This indicates a lack of capability or competence.

He lacks the capacity to

This phrase suggests a fundamental inability or lack of potential.

It is impossible for him to

This expresses the impossibility of an action from his perspective.

He is not allowed to

Expresses a lack of permission.

He's in no position to

This suggests that circumstances prevent him from doing something.

He is restricted from

This highlights a constraint or restriction preventing him from acting.

He does not have the power to

Focuses on the lack of authority or strength to perform an action.

He isn't permitted to

Indicates that he lacks permission or authorization.

FAQs

How to use "he cannot" in a sentence?

Use "he cannot" to indicate someone's inability or lack of permission to do something. For example, "He cannot attend the meeting."

What can I say instead of "he cannot"?

You can use alternatives like "he is unable to", "he is not able to", or "it is impossible for him to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "he cannot" or "he can't"?

Both "he cannot" and "he can't" are grammatically correct. "He cannot" is generally more formal, while "he can't" is more casual.

Is there a difference in meaning between "he cannot" and "he is not allowed to"?

While both phrases indicate that someone is not doing something, "he cannot" usually implies an inability, while "he is not allowed to" suggests a prohibition or lack of permission.