can't but
IdiomsExample Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I can’t, but it’s possible. But we have to find out.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 22, 2026
As a Brentford fan, I can’t but admire Man City.
From BBC ● Feb. 19, 2024
"For example, we made a plastic device that uses graphene as a terahertz sensor. Like X-rays, terahertz radiation can pass through objects that light can't, but doesn't damage the body," Professor Ago says.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 9, 2024
I really can't, but I'm thrilled about this season.
From Salon ● Mar. 20, 2023
It should also be noted that some music traditions around the world do not use the type of precision tunings described above, not because they can't, but because of an aesthetic preference for wide tuning.
From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
