it cannot happen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it cannot happen' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to state that something is impossible or cannot occur. For example, "It cannot happen that everyone will agree on the same thing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It cannot happen".

The New York Times

It cannot happen soon enough.

The Economist

"It cannot happen," he said.

The New York Times

And therefore it cannot happen.

The Guardian

It cannot happen in any other fashion.

The New York Times

"It cannot happen here in America in 2010".

The New York Times

"It cannot happen until we get a minister," she said.

The New York Times

It cannot happen again, right, this time against the Ravens?

The New York Times - Sports

You lose your false hope that it cannot happen here.

The Guardian

Rask, a spectator in 2011, sees no reason it cannot happen again.

The New York Times - Sports

Informed public debate is essential but it cannot happen without meaningful information being available.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it cannot happen" to express a firm belief that something is impossible or will not occur under any circumstances. Ensure the context clearly supports such a strong assertion.

Common error

Avoid using "it cannot happen" when expressing doubt or uncertainty. This phrase implies absolute certainty, so use softer alternatives like "it is unlikely to happen" if there's a chance it might occur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it cannot happen" functions as an emphatic declaration of impossibility. According to Ludwig, it is used to state that something is impossible or cannot occur. It serves to dismiss or negate a potential event or situation, asserting its absolute unfeasibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Academia

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it cannot happen" is a phrase used to emphatically declare that something is impossible or will not occur, as Ludwig AI confirms. It's common in news and media, conveying certainty. While grammatically correct and widely used, it should be reserved for situations where the speaker has a high degree of confidence. Related phrases such as "it is impossible" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone or emphasis. Remember, overusing "it cannot happen" in uncertain situations can undermine credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is impossible

Replaces the modal verb 'cannot' with the adjective 'impossible', indicating a firm impossibility.

there's no way it can happen

Adds emphasis by explicitly stating that there is 'no way' for the event to occur.

it will not occur

Uses 'will not' instead of 'cannot' and 'occur' in place of 'happen', offering a slightly more formal tone.

it's not going to happen

Employs a more informal and emphatic construction to express the unlikelihood of an event.

that's out of the question

Introduces an idiomatic expression denoting that something is completely unacceptable or impossible.

it stands no chance

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey a lack of possibility or success.

it has no possibility

Substitutes 'happen' with the more formal 'possibility' and restructures the sentence.

that won't be the case

Shifts the focus to the 'case' or situation, indicating that the predicted event will not materialize.

it is not feasible

Replaces the core concept with 'feasible', highlighting the impracticality or unworkability of the event.

it defies possibility

Employs a stronger, more dramatic expression to emphasize the extreme unlikelihood.

FAQs

How can I use "it cannot happen" in a sentence?

Use "it cannot happen" to firmly express that something is impossible or will definitely not occur. For example: "It cannot happen that we run out of resources if we manage them properly."

What are some alternatives to "it cannot happen"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it is impossible", "it is unlikely", or "it will not occur", depending on the level of certainty you want to convey.

Which is correct, "it cannot happen" or "it can't happen"?

Both "it cannot happen" and "it can't happen" are grammatically correct. "It can't happen" is a contraction of "it cannot happen" and is more informal.

What's the difference between "it cannot happen" and "it should not happen"?

"It cannot happen" expresses impossibility, while "it should not happen" expresses a desire or expectation that something will not occur, but acknowledges that it's still possible.