we cannot prevent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we cannot prevent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing limitations or the inability to stop something from happening. Example: "Despite our best efforts, we cannot prevent the consequences of climate change from affecting our planet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

But back to the story of prevention of school shootings -- we cannot prevent them by simply knowing how to act when they occur.

Huffington Post

Unless we address this, we cannot prevent climate breakdown.

The Guardian

We cannot prevent Iran from having bomb-making knowledge, as George W. Bush promised to do.

The New York Times

But given that the city approved the plan, we cannot prevent the developer from building the arena.

The New York Times - Arts

"Unfortunately, we cannot prevent our staff, as well trained as they are, from making mistakes on rare occasions".

The New York Times - Health

President Obama: "We cannot prevent terrorist attacks or cyber-threats without some capability to penetrate digital communications".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Further, we show that An's scheme cannot prevent insider attack.

Journal of King Saud University - Computer and Information Sciences

"You cannot prevent every tragedy; but we have made enormous progress.

The New York Times

Because the coverage report cannot prevent disease from spreading completely, we have (beta_{1}geqslantbeta_{2}>0).

Advances in Difference Equations

Although Berkeley Township cannot prevent wildfires in the Pine Barrens, he said, "we're going to be prepared".

The New York Times

You cannot prevent this.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we cannot prevent" to acknowledge limitations and set realistic expectations in discussions about complex issues like climate change, disease outbreaks, or social problems. This fosters a more grounded and solution-oriented approach.

Common error

Avoid using "we cannot prevent" as an excuse for inaction. While acknowledging limitations is important, always follow it with a discussion of mitigation strategies or alternative approaches to minimize negative impacts. The point is not to resign to the inevitable, but to better manage it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we cannot prevent" functions as a statement of limitation or impossibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a standard way to express that there is no way to stop something from occurring. It acknowledges the boundaries of our capabilities in various situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we cannot prevent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to acknowledge the impossibility of stopping something from happening. Ludwig AI data shows that it is commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While acknowledging limitations is crucial, it's important to follow with discussions of mitigation. Alternatives include "we are unable to prevent" or "we cannot stop". Using "we cannot prevent" helps to set realistic expectations and encourage solution-oriented approaches.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are unable to prevent

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

we cannot stop

Substitutes "prevent" with "stop", a more direct and common synonym.

it is impossible for us to prevent

Emphasizes impossibility using a more elaborate structure.

we lack the ability to prevent

Highlights a lack of capability or means to prevent something.

we cannot avoid

Focuses on the inevitability, rather than the act of preventing.

there's nothing we can do to prevent

Expresses a sense of helplessness or lack of options.

we are powerless to prevent

Highlights the lack of power or influence to stop something.

we have no way to prevent

Indicates the absence of a method or means to prevent something.

prevention is beyond our capabilities

Shifts the focus to the limitations of our capabilities.

we cannot control

Substitutes "prevent" with "control", focusing on the lack of influence over an event or situation.

FAQs

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

Use "we cannot prevent" to express the inability to stop something from happening. For example, "We cannot prevent natural disasters, but we can prepare for them".

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

You can use alternatives like "we are unable to prevent", "we cannot stop", or "it is impossible for us to prevent depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "we cannot prevent"?

It's appropriate to use "we cannot prevent" when discussing situations where complete avoidance of a negative outcome is impossible, but mitigation or management strategies are still possible.

Is "we cannot prevent" the same as "we should not prevent"?

No, "we cannot prevent" indicates an inability to stop something, while "we should not prevent" expresses a moral or ethical judgment against stopping something. They have very different meanings.