they cannot

USAGE SUMMARY

'they cannot' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that something is not possible for a group of people. Example: They cannot afford to buy the new car.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They cannot".

Independent

They cannot change".

Independent

They cannot be both.

The Economist

They cannot feed themselves.

The New York Times

And they cannot adopt.

The New York Times

They cannot be ignored.

The New Yorker

Results suggest they cannot.

Journal of Business Venturing

So they cannot interbreed.

The Economist

They cannot tolerate criticism.

The New Yorker

They cannot do both.

The Economist

They cannot vote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they cannot", ensure the pronoun "they" clearly refers to a specific group of people or entities to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they cannot" when the antecedent of "they" is unclear or missing. Always ensure the reader knows who "they" refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they cannot" functions as a negative declarative statement, indicating the inability of a group of individuals to perform a specific action or achieve a certain outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they cannot" is a grammatically sound and exceedingly common expression used to denote the inability or impossibility for a group to perform an action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, emphasizing its function as a negative declarative statement. Its neutrality allows for versatile application across diverse contexts, although it is predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science as source contexts. To enhance clarity, be sure the referent of "they" is always unmistakable. Consider employing alternatives such as "they are unable to" for added formality, or "they must not" to suggest an obligation instead of a mere inability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are unable to

Replaces "cannot" with "are unable to", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

they are incapable of

Highlights the inability to perform a specific action or task.

it is impossible for them to

Emphasizes impossibility more explicitly than the original phrase.

it's out of the question for them to

Expresses a stronger sense of impossibility or unacceptability.

they are not permitted to

Shifts the focus to permission rather than ability, suggesting a rule or restriction is in place.

they are forbidden from

Indicates a stronger prohibition compared to "not permitted".

they have no chance to

Indicates that there is no possibility or opportunity for them to do something.

they lack the capacity to

Highlights the absence of the necessary skills or resources.

they don't have the option to

Focuses on the absence of choice or possibility.

they must not

Expresses a prohibition or strong recommendation against doing something.

FAQs

How can I use "they cannot" in a sentence?

Use "they cannot" to express that a group of people is unable or not allowed to do something. For example, "They cannot attend the meeting because they are out of town."

What's a more formal way to say "they cannot"?

A more formal alternative to "they cannot" is "they are unable to". This phrase maintains a similar meaning while sounding more sophisticated.

Is it ever incorrect to use "they cannot"?

It is grammatically correct, but avoid using "they cannot" if the pronoun "they" has no clear referent. Ensure it's clear who "they" refers to.

What's the difference between "they cannot" and "they must not"?

"They cannot" indicates an inability to do something, while "they must not" indicates a prohibition or strong recommendation against doing something. The first refers to capability, the second refers to obligation.