we cannot attend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we cannot attend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express an inability to participate in an event or meeting. Example: "Unfortunately, we cannot attend the conference this year due to scheduling conflicts."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Simply to say we don't attend sensorily to our mental states is to make only a modest claim, akin to the claim that we see objects rather than seeing our visual experiences of objects; but to say that we cannot attend to our mental states even intellectually appears extreme.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

President Matt Christie said: Any donation, however little will help, it sounds like a cliché but how can we tell people they cannot attend university because they cannot afford it?

The Guardian

You can buy tickets to the Crunchies here and, for those of you who cannot attend, we'll be live streaming the whole thing.

TechCrunch

If winner cannot attend, we will select an alternative winner at random.

Vice

We'll also be livestreaming the entire event for those who cannot attend.

TechCrunch

Torre cannot attend the Derby.

The New York Times - Sports

Some players cannot attend midweek practices.

The New York Times - Sports

Because of the turmoil, Indonesia's foreign minister cannot attend.

The Economist

Unfortunately, because of a scheduling conflict, Mr. Harrison cannot attend.

The New York Times - Arts

I cannot attend the event given all of this".

The Guardian - Books

wants to reach fans who follow its teams but cannot attend their home games, Anselmi said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When explaining why "we cannot attend", provide a brief reason to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. For instance, "We cannot attend due to a prior commitment."

Common error

Avoid stating "we cannot attend" without providing any context or explanation. Always give a reason, even if brief, to avoid appearing dismissive or uninterested.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we cannot attend" functions as a declarative statement expressing an inability to participate in an event or activity. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is a direct way of communicating non-attendance. It commonly introduces an explanation for the absence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we cannot attend" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate an inability to participate in an event or meeting. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across a wide range of contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communications. To enhance clarity, it is advisable to provide a brief explanation when using this phrase. Alternative phrases like "we are unable to attend" or "we will be absent" can be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are unable to attend

Replaces "cannot" with "are unable", providing a slightly more formal tone.

we are not attending

A more direct and simple way of stating non-attendance.

we will not be present

A formal declaration of absence.

we will be absent

Focuses on the state of being away rather than the inability to attend.

we are regrettably unable to attend

Adds a sense of regret to the inability to attend, increasing the formality.

we are prevented from attending

Indicates an external force is causing the inability to attend.

we won't be there

An informal way to indicate absence.

our attendance is not possible

Focuses on the impossibility of attending, rather than personal inability.

we must decline the invitation

Emphasizes the act of refusing an invitation due to the inability to attend.

we have to miss it

An informal phrase indicating the need to be absent.

FAQs

What does "we cannot attend" mean?

The phrase "we cannot attend" means that a group of people is unable to be present at a specific event or meeting due to various reasons.

What can I say instead of "we cannot attend"?

You can use alternatives like "we are unable to attend", "we will be absent", or "we are not attending" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "we cannot attend" or "we are unable to attend"?

Both "we cannot attend" and "we are unable to attend" are grammatically correct. "We are unable to attend" is slightly more formal, while "we cannot attend" is more common in everyday language.

How do I politely decline an invitation using "we cannot attend"?

To politely decline, use a phrase like "We regrettably cannot attend due to [reason]" or "We are so sorry, but "we cannot attend" because of [reason]."