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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
we however cannot
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
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.
Science
We however cannot definitively rule out the possibility that a change in the local cytokine milieu differentially polarizes new incoming monocytes.
Science
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
We however cannot determine the percentage of glucose malabsorption by the use of glucose breath testing.
Science
We, however, cannot exclude that in other cellular context Egr1 can inhibit miR-17-92 miR-17-92 miR-17-92
Science
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.
Science
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
Sadly, however, we still cannot trust our robotic meme overlords not to be nasty.
News & Media
However, we still cannot predict protein complexes involving PRDM9.
Science
However, we cannot yet draw this conclusion.
Science
"However, we realise we cannot be complacent.
News & Media
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.
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
however, we are unable to
Replaces "cannot" with "are unable to", offering a slightly more formal tone.
we are, however, not able to
Splits "however" and uses "are not able to" for emphasis and slight formality.
we cannot, however,
Reorders the phrase to place "however" after "cannot" for a different emphasis.
yet we cannot
Replaces "however" with "yet", indicating a contrast despite previous information.
nonetheless, we cannot
Uses "nonetheless" for a more formal and emphatic contrast.
still, we cannot
Replaces "however" with "still", suggesting a continued inability despite prior efforts.
even so, we cannot
Introduces the inability as a contrast despite a previous statement, using "even so".
that said, we cannot
Uses "that said" as a transition to introduce the limitation.
in spite of that, we cannot
Emphasizes the contrast using "in spite of that" to highlight the inability.
despite this, we cannot
Highlights the contrast using "despite this" to indicate the limitation persists.
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."
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested