we cannot

USAGE SUMMARY

"we cannot" is a perfectly correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to refer to something that cannot be done. For example, "We cannot ignore the risk posed by climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We cannot.

The New York Times

We cannot be touched".

The New York Times

Perhaps we cannot.

The Economist

We cannot forget love".

The New York Times - Magazine

But we cannot complain.

The New York Times - Sports

We cannot all sculpt.

Independent

We cannot do that.

The New York Times - Sports

"We cannot do anything".

The New York Times

We cannot preserve everything.

The New York Times

We cannot forget them.

The Guardian

We cannot train well.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain a consistent tone when using "we cannot". If the surrounding text is formal, avoid contractions for a more polished impression.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly defining the scope of "we". Ensure readers understand whether "we" refers to a company, a community, or humanity in general to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we cannot" functions as a negative declarative statement, expressing an inability, impossibility, or prohibition. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a common way to deny the possibility of an action. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in diverse contexts, from expressing a lack of capacity to stating a moral imperative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we cannot" is a versatile and frequently used phrase to express inability, impossibility, or prohibition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely applicable. The phrase appears most often in news and media contexts, indicating its suitability for neutral communication, though you can adapt it to different registers. When writing, ensure that the scope of "we" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider replacing it with synonyms like "we are unable to" or "it is not possible for us to" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are unable to

Substitutes "cannot" with "are unable to", indicating a lack of ability or capacity.

it is not possible for us to

Replaces "we cannot" with a more formal and explicit expression of impossibility.

we must not

Expresses a strong sense of prohibition or moral obligation not to do something.

we are not allowed to

Indicates a prohibition or lack of permission, rather than simply an inability.

we are restricted from

Indicates that external rules or circumstances prevent a particular action.

it's beyond our capability to

Emphasizes the limits of our capacity or skills, making it a stronger statement of inability.

we lack the capacity to

Highlights the absence of necessary resources or abilities to accomplish something.

we shouldn't

A more tentative expression of advice or suggestion that something is not a good idea.

we're in no position to

Suggests that circumstances or one's current state make an action unfeasible.

we have no choice but to

Implies a lack of alternatives rather than a direct inability.

FAQs

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

Use "we cannot" to express an inability, prohibition, or impossibility. For example, "we cannot ignore the evidence" indicates it's impossible to disregard the evidence.

What are some alternatives to "we cannot"?

Alternatives include "we are unable to", "it is not possible for us to", or "we must not", depending on whether you want to emphasize inability, impossibility, or prohibition.

Is "we cannot" formal or informal?

"We cannot" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, it may be preferable to use "we are unable to".

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

"We cannot" indicates an inability to do something, while "we must not" expresses a moral or ethical prohibition. For example, "we cannot fly" means we lack the ability, but "we must not lie" means it is morally wrong to lie.