cannot
not able to do something
It means “not able to.”
[someone] cannot [do something]
- I cannot open this jar.
- She cannot drive at night without her glasses.
- We cannot finish today because the files are missing.
- I cannot swim.
- He cannot come today.
not permitted to do something
It means “not allowed to.”
[someone] cannot [do something] (here/in this place/under these rules)
- You cannot park here after 6 p.m.
- Visitors cannot enter the lab without an escort.
- You cannot use your phone during the exam.
- We cannot smoke here.
- You cannot bring food inside.
impossible to happen or be done
It means “it is not possible.”
[something] cannot [happen/be done/be achieved]
- This door cannot be opened from the outside.
- A square cannot have three sides.
- With these temperatures, the battery cannot last all day.
- It cannot happen.
- This cannot be done today.
refuse or be unwilling to
It can mean “I will not” or “I refuse to.”
[someone] cannot [accept/agree/allow] [something]
- I cannot accept this money.
- We cannot agree to those terms.
- She cannot allow her name to be used in the advertisement.
- I cannot accept it.
- He cannot agree.
used for strong negative certainty
It means “I’m sure it isn’t true/possible.”
[something] cannot be [true/right/possible]
- This cannot be the final version; it still has spelling errors.
- He cannot have written this alone—it’s too technical.
- That cannot be right; the total is higher than the budget.
- It cannot be true.
- That cannot be right.
- Base: cannot
- Plural: cannots
cannot ... enough
1emphasize that something is very great
It means “as much as possible; very, very much.”
- I cannot thank you enough for your help.
- We cannot recommend this restaurant enough.
- She cannot praise her team enough.
cannot afford (to) [do something]
1not have money or ability to risk
It means “I don’t have enough money” or “it’s too risky.”
- We cannot afford a bigger apartment right now.
- I cannot afford to miss any more work.
- The company cannot afford to lose its biggest customer.
cannot be bothered (to) [do something]
1not willing to make the effort
It means “I don’t want to do it because it feels like too much effort.”
- I cannot be bothered to cook tonight, so let’s order pizza.
- He cannot be bothered with the paperwork.
- She cannot be bothered to argue about it anymore.
cannot but [do something]
1must do; cannot avoid
It means “must” or “cannot avoid.”
- I cannot but agree with your conclusion.
- She cannot but admire his patience.
- We cannot but wonder what happened next.
cannot complain
1say you are fine or okay
It means “I’m doing okay.”
- “How’s work?” “Cannot complain.”
- I cannot complain—things have been pretty good lately.
- We cannot complain, considering how busy everyone else is.
cannot help (doing) [something]
1be unable to stop oneself
It means “I can’t stop myself.”
- I cannot help laughing when I watch that scene.
- She cannot help worrying about her son.
- He cannot help thinking that something is wrong.
cannot stand [someone/something]
1strongly dislike or tolerate
It means “I really dislike it” or “I can’t tolerate it.”
- I cannot stand that constant noise.
- He cannot stand being interrupted.
- She cannot stand the way he talks to staff.
cannot wait
1be very excited for something
It means “I’m very excited and want it soon.”
- I cannot wait to see you tomorrow.
- They cannot wait for the holidays to start.
- She cannot wait to tell her parents the news.