we still cannot

USAGE SUMMARY

'we still cannot' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something still has not come to pass, despite some attempts or efforts to make it happen. For example: "We still cannot find a solution to this problem, even after 3 days of brainstorming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We still cannot fill in a lot of the blanks".

The New York Times

"We still cannot travel because Unita still has a huge presence in this province.

The New York Times

Five years later, we still cannot understand why the US government did not honor that decision.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Even though the Islamists have been defeated, we still cannot go back.

The Guardian

"We still cannot open a bank account in the U.K.," he said.

The New Yorker

As the pantomime suggests, we still cannot agree how dead we would like Hamilton to be.

The New York Times - Magazine

"A year and a half after the accident, we still cannot quantify the damage to the island," Mr. Lecci said.

The New York Times

The Cecil Rhodes statue debate "shows that we still cannot look at the past dispassionately, even a hundred years on".

The Guardian

It's hilarious really: we still cannot get through glass ceilings to save our lives back at home.

The Guardian

"We still cannot fully understand the scope of this tragedy and what it means for us in the future.

The Guardian

We still cannot place odds on terrorists using a weapon of mass destruction or on climate change triggering catastrophic natural disasters.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we still cannot" to clearly indicate an ongoing inability or lack of progress, particularly when previous attempts have been made or expectations existed. This emphasizes the continued state of not being able to achieve something.

Common error

Avoid using "we still cannot" when the reason for the inability is already obvious or implied. Overstating the reason can make the statement sound redundant or patronizing. Instead, focus on the action that remains impossible or the consequences of this inability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we still cannot" functions as an expression of continued inability or impossibility. It indicates that despite previous efforts or expectations, a particular action or outcome remains unrealized. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples of this usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we still cannot" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a continued inability or lack of progress. Ludwig AI confirms that it is frequently found in various contexts, especially news, media, and scientific writing. It's crucial to use this phrase when conveying an ongoing limitation despite prior efforts or expectations. Alternatives such as "we are still unable to" or "we have yet to be able to" can provide nuanced variations, but "we still cannot" remains a direct and effective way to communicate persistent challenges. Remember to avoid redundancy by not overstating the reason for the inability, focusing instead on the action that remains unachievable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are still unable to

Replaces "cannot" with "are unable to", emphasizing lack of ability.

we continue to be unable to

Highlights the ongoing nature of the inability.

we haven't been able to yet

Emphasizes the elapsed time without achieving the ability to do something.

we're still not capable of

Substitutes "cannot" with "not capable of", stressing lack of capacity.

we have yet to be able to

Highlights the continuing absence of ability, suggesting expectation.

we are not yet in a position to

Focuses on the lack of readiness or preparedness to do something.

we are still far from being able to

Indicates a significant distance from achieving the ability.

it remains impossible for us to

Emphasizes the impossibility aspect, making it a stronger statement.

our efforts have not yet enabled us to

Focuses on the lack of success in enabling an action, despite effort.

we've so far been unsuccessful in our attempts to

Highlights the repeated failure to achieve a specific outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "we still cannot" to express an ongoing inability or lack of progress, despite previous efforts or expectations. For example, "Despite multiple attempts, "we still cannot" find a solution to the problem".

What are some alternatives to using "we still cannot"?

Alternatives include "we are still unable to", "we have yet to be able to", or "we are not yet in a position to". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "we still cannot" or "we cannot still"?

"We still cannot" is the standard and more grammatically sound way to express the idea. "We cannot still" is less common and may sound awkward to native English speakers.

What's the difference between "we still cannot" and "we cannot yet"?

"We still cannot" implies an ongoing inability, possibly after previous attempts. "We cannot yet" suggests that the ability may be possible in the future. The distinction depends on whether the inability is perceived as permanent or temporary.