Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

we however cannot

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we however cannot" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a contrast or limitation in a statement, often following a previous assertion. Example: "We appreciate your suggestions; we however cannot implement them at this time due to budget constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

We, however, cannot exclude the possibility that our observation has missed frequent wave activity during summer -observed in other sites due to cloudy weather: We detected 12 events of small wave packets, known as the ripple type wave and 10 events of horizon-to-horizon waves, known as the band type wave.

We however cannot definitively rule out the possibility that a change in the local cytokine milieu differentially polarizes new incoming monocytes.

Science

Plosone

We, however, cannot completely exclude the plausibility that a limited number of women may have had undiagnosed pre-pregnancy glucose intolerance when blood specimens were collected.

Science

Plosone

We however cannot determine the percentage of glucose malabsorption by the use of glucose breath testing.

We, however, cannot exclude that in other cellular context Egr1 can inhibit miR-17-92 miR-17-92 miR-17-92

We, however, cannot exclude the possibility that extremely small amounts of un-cleaved protein, below the detection capability of our confocal microscope, are produced and incorrectly localised.

Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The school administrators we see, however, cannot be described as alert.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Sadly, however, we still cannot trust our robotic meme overlords not to be nasty.

News & Media

TechCrunch

However, we still cannot predict protein complexes involving PRDM9.

However, we cannot yet draw this conclusion.

Science

BMJ Open

"However, we realise we cannot be complacent.

News & Media

BBC
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we however cannot", ensure the sentence structure clearly connects the contrasting idea to the preceding statement.

Common error

Avoid separating "however" too far from "we cannot", as this can weaken the connection between the contrasting ideas. Keep the phrase together for clarity.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.3/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we however cannot" functions as a conjunctional phrase, introducing a limitation or a contrasting point to a previous statement. It indicates an inability or restriction despite what has already been mentioned. Ludwig examples illustrate how this phrase is used to express constraints or exceptions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we however cannot" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a limitation or contrasting point. It carries a neutral to slightly formal tone and is most frequently found in scientific and news-related contexts. Ludwig AI highlights its function as a connector that introduces a restriction despite a prior statement. When writing, be mindful of the placement of "however" to maintain clarity, and consider alternatives like "yet we cannot" or "nonetheless, we cannot" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

FAQs

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

Use "we however cannot" to present a contrasting point or limitation following a statement or acknowledgment. For example, "We appreciate your efforts; we however cannot approve the request at this time."

What are some alternatives to saying "we however cannot"?

You can use alternatives like "however we are unable to", "yet we cannot", or "nonetheless we cannot" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "we however cannot" formal or informal?

"We however cannot" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it tends to appear more frequently in written communication. More formal alternatives exist, such as "however, we are unable to".

Can I start a sentence with "we however cannot"?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "we however cannot" is less common. It's generally preferable to introduce the contrasting idea after an initial statement. For example, "We understand your concerns; we however cannot offer a refund."

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.3/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: