we cannot preserve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we cannot preserve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the inability to maintain, protect, or keep something intact. Example: "In the face of climate change, we cannot preserve the natural habitats that are essential for wildlife."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

We cannot preserve everything.

The New York Times

It seeks to do what we cannot: preserve him in all his glory forever.

The Guardian - Film

A player's hunger and desire is the main consideration, and for a club like us wages and length of contract become a big issue if it turns out we cannot preserve our Premier League status.

The Guardian - Sport

Addressing the Family Research Council, a socially conservative Christian group, she said, "We cannot preserve liberty for ourselves and our posterity if the choice in next November is between a frugal socialist and an out-of-control socialist".

The New York Times

"We cannot preserve liberty if the choice is between a frugal socialist and an out-of-control socialist".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

We know that small reserves cannot preserve widely roaming species, and, in fact, all species plant and animal are at risk from inbreeding or catastrophic events such as hurricanes.

Forbes

However, although the storage of genetic material is a useful technique in the preservation of rare breeds, it cannot preserve the entire range of genetic diversity within even an individual breed, and stored material cannot react and adapt to environmental or biological changes as live animal populations can.

Wikipedia

In sum, Jackie Masonry cannot preserve the Jews.

The Economist

Such efforts alone cannot preserve the global ecosystem, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

You cannot preserve the reality of something that does not exist.

The Guardian

For even a newfangled supreme court cannot preserve the unwritten constitution that is being shredded by Brexit.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing environmental issues or historical conservation, use "we cannot preserve" to emphasize the limitations and challenges faced in protecting resources or artifacts.

Common error

Avoid using "we cannot preserve" when there is still a possibility of preservation, even if it requires significant effort. Use phrases like "it will be difficult to preserve" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we cannot preserve" functions as a declarative statement expressing an inability or lack of capacity to maintain, protect, or conserve something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to indicate limitations in safeguarding resources, historical artifacts, or environmental elements.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we cannot preserve" is used to express an inability to maintain, protect, or conserve something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business communications. Although relatively rare, with only 5 exact examples, it's important to avoid overstating certainty when using this phrase, acknowledging potential limitations in preservation efforts. Related alternatives include "we are unable to conserve" and "we are unable to protect", offering similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. In summary, while grammatically sound, use "we cannot preserve" judiciously to accurately reflect the feasibility of preservation efforts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is not possible for us to preserve

Simply restates the original phrase with emphasis on possibility.

we are unable to conserve

Focuses on the inability to keep something in its original condition.

we are unable to protect

Highlights the lack of capacity to defend something from harm or damage.

we are unable to maintain

Emphasizes the impossibility of keeping something in working order or good condition.

it's impossible for us to save

Highlights impossibility in saving something.

it is beyond our power to safeguard

Focuses on lacking the capability to ensure the safety of something.

we lack the means to uphold

Emphasizes the absence of necessary resources or methods to sustain something.

we are not in a position to retain

Highlights the current circumstances preventing the keeping of something.

we can't hold on to

An informal phrasing emphasizing the inability to keep possession of something.

we are not able to keep

A more literal expression of the inability to retain something.

FAQs

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

You can use "we cannot preserve" to express the inability to maintain, protect, or keep something intact. For instance, "Due to budget cuts, we cannot preserve all the historical documents".

What are some alternatives to "we cannot preserve"?

You can use alternatives like "we are unable to conserve", "we are unable to protect", or "we are unable to maintain" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "we cannot preserve" or "we cannot maintain"?

The choice depends on the specific context. "We cannot preserve" implies an inability to keep something in its original state, while "we cannot maintain" suggests an inability to keep something in working order or good condition. The best choice depends on the specific situation.

What does "we cannot preserve" imply in the context of environmental conservation?

In environmental conservation, "we cannot preserve" often implies that, despite efforts, certain natural habitats or species may be irreversibly damaged or lost due to factors like climate change or deforestation.