cannot

ne pas pouvoir

Ne pas avoir la capacité ou la possibilité de faire quelque chose.

En anglais simple : If something is impossible for you, you are not able to do it.

• I cannot swim.
• We cannot hear you over the music.
• She cannot remember where she left her keys.

Comment l'utiliser : cannot + verb (I cannot lift this box.)

Synonymes : be unable to

Contraires : can

Expressions courantes : cannot swim, cannot afford something, cannot see something, cannot move

ne pas avoir le droit de

Ne pas avoir le droit de faire quelque chose parce qu'une règle l'interdit.

En anglais simple : If a rule stops you from doing something, you are not allowed to do it.

• You cannot park here.
• Children cannot use the pool without an adult.
• Students cannot leave during the exam.

Comment l'utiliser : cannot + verb (Visitors cannot enter this room.)

Synonymes : may not, must not

Contraires : can

Expressions courantes : cannot enter, cannot park here, cannot use something

impossibilité

Quelque chose qu'une personne n'est pas capable de faire.

En anglais simple : Something that a person is unable to do.

• Her list contained more cannots than cans.
• We discussed our cans and cannots before choosing a project.
• He turned one of his cannots into a can.

Synonymes : impossibility

Expressions courantes : cans and cannots, a list of cannots