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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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is not in a position to afford

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not in a position to afford" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's financial limitations or inability to pay for something. Example: "She is not in a position to afford a new car at this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Timor Leste's President José Ramos-Horta said that "the situation in Guinea-Bissau, which I have followed over the years, is extraordinarily complex, dangerous, because it can degrade into more violence, and the country is not in a position to afford that new setback in the peace process and its democratisation".

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

About the only certainty now is that Leeds are not in a position to afford the appointment of a successor to Peter Reid as manager until the financial situation is much better.

News & Media

The Guardian

Usually they are not in a position to afford the prices of the authentic items".

News & Media

Forbes

"We just aren't in a position to afford to put out the money to operate the park after we get it," McMillen said.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

An infant who is not in a position to do this cannot afford not to show interest in any person as they may be potential attachment figures.

The point being, under the tax code, nearly all families below poverty pay no income taxes; a family that cannot afford its own necessities in life is not in a position to fund government etc.

News & Media

Forbes

Cady*, a writer who lives in California's expensive Bay Area, is also not in a position to afford treatment.

News & Media

Huffington Post

VCs weed out entrepreneurs because some may have a family or not be in a position to afford financing a new company.

News & Media

TechCrunch

"We were lucky enough to be in a position to afford legal advice," he said.

News & Media

The Guardian

Not many people were in a position to afford that, so it was added stress for them.

News & Media

Huffington Post

I can't imagine myself being in a position to afford one, even with a fulltime job.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "is not in a position to afford" to clearly and politely express financial constraints, especially in formal contexts or when discussing sensitive topics.

Common error

Avoid using "is not in a position to afford" when simpler alternatives like "cannot afford" are more direct and appropriate, especially in informal conversations.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not in a position to afford" functions as a polite and formal way to express a lack of financial capability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct construction. Examples show its use in describing constraints for individuals, organizations, and even countries.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not in a position to afford" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a lack of financial capability. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use in various contexts, particularly when a polite and formal tone is desired. Analysis of the examples provided by Ludwig shows that this phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts, reflecting its relevance in discussions about financial limitations across diverse areas. It’s important to avoid misusing the phrase in casual conversation and consider simpler alternatives such as ""cannot afford"" when appropriate.

FAQs

What does "is not in a position to afford" mean?

It means someone lacks the financial resources or means to purchase or undertake something. It's a polite way of saying someone "cannot afford" something.

When is it appropriate to use "is not in a position to afford"?

This phrase is suitable for formal situations, professional communications, or when you want to express financial constraints delicately. In casual conversation, "can't afford" may be more appropriate.

What are some alternative ways to say "is not in a position to afford"?

You can use alternatives like "unable to pay", "cannot meet the cost", or "lacks the funds" depending on the context.

How does "is not in a position to afford" differ from "cannot afford"?

"Is not in a position to afford" is generally more formal and indirect than ""cannot afford"". The former is used when a gentler way to communicate financial inability is desired.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: