we cannot however

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we cannot however" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a contrasting point or exception to what has been previously stated. Example: "We appreciate your efforts; we cannot however overlook the mistakes that were made."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We cannot, however, simply say the Great Leap Forward killed 52 million people.

The Washington Post

We cannot, however, make communities more secure by incarcerating whole neighborhoods full of residents.

University of California, Berkeley

We cannot, however, give the Quality King statement the legal weight for which Wiley argues.

Harvard University

We cannot, however, conceal our growing concerns regarding the state of democracy in Ukraine.

The New York Times

We cannot, however, rule out the possibility of other processes affecting the GPS observations on Eyjafjallajökull's southern flank.

Nature

We cannot, however, agree with either the Supreme Court of Louisiana or the trial court that Thompson sustained this burden.

Cornell University

We cannot, however, fix this at the expense of abandoning racial categories, which are still needed for legitimate policy purposes.

The New York Times

We cannot, however, be definitive on why this occurs.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

We cannot, however, achieve the requisite knowledge to understand God's designs or purity of will in this life.

SEP

We cannot however move from these empirical concepts to the concept of a being of infinite perfection.

SEP

We cannot, however, reconcile the value of that opportunity with the company's current market capitalization," he writes in this note.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we cannot however", ensure that the contrasting point is genuinely relevant and adds value to the discussion, rather than simply contradicting the initial statement.

Common error

Avoid using "we cannot however" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your arguments seem hesitant or repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternative phrases such as "nevertheless" or "on the other hand" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we cannot however" functions as a transitional phrase, specifically a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It serves to introduce a contrast, qualification, or limitation to a previous statement, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

22%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we cannot however" is a grammatically correct and very common conjunctive adverbial phrase used to introduce a contrasting point or limitation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various contexts. It's most frequently found in scientific and news-related content, with considerable presence in academic writing as well. While valuable for creating balanced arguments, overusing this phrase can make writing repetitive. Alternatives like "nevertheless" or "on the other hand" can offer variety. The phrase maintains a neutral to formal tone, suitable for a range of professional communications. By understanding its function and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively use "we cannot however" to enhance the clarity and nuance of their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we cannot, nevertheless

Replaces "however" with "nevertheless", maintaining a formal tone.

we are unable, however

Replaces "cannot" with "are unable", adding a touch of formality.

we cannot, on the other hand

Uses a more explicit contrasting phrase instead of "however".

we cannot, yet

Substitutes "however" with "yet", offering a slightly less formal tone.

however, we cannot

Inverts the sentence structure, placing "however" at the beginning for emphasis.

we cannot, though

Replaces "however" with "though", creating a more casual tone.

we cannot, still

Uses "still" in place of "however", implying a continuation despite a contrast.

we cannot, even so

Emphasizes the contrasting element more strongly than "however".

that being said, we cannot

Introduces a contrasting point with the phrase "that being said".

despite this, we cannot

Uses "despite this" to highlight the contrasting element.

FAQs

What does "we cannot however" mean?

The phrase "we cannot however" introduces a contrasting statement or a limitation to something that has been previously mentioned. It's used to present an exception, qualification, or alternative perspective.

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

Use "we cannot however" to present a contrasting point that doesn't necessarily negate the previous statement but adds nuance. For example: "We appreciate your efforts; "we cannot however" overlook the mistakes that were made."

What are some alternatives to "we cannot however"?

Alternatives include "nevertheless", "on the other hand", "yet", or "still". The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "however, we cannot"?

Yes, starting a sentence with "however, we cannot" is grammatically correct. Placing "however" at the beginning emphasizes the contrast. Just remember to include a comma after "however".