Meaning
If you cannot afford to do something, you don’t have enough money to do something. And if you don’t pay for something, you may face consequences.
Today’s Sentences
- I can’t afford to travel.
- I can’t afford to lose you.
- I can’t afford to get married.
- I can’t afford to eat out often.
- I can’t afford to buy luxury goods.
- Writer’s Note
01
I can’t afford to travel.
Situation 1
What are you doing this weekend?
I’m flying to New York for a few days.
Really?
I can’t afford to travel.
Neither can I.
I just save a lot and look for deals.
Situation 2
What’s your goal this year?
I’d love to go on vacation.
But I can’t afford to travel.
No doubt, trips cost a lot.
If I were you, I’d plan ahead!
I guess making a plan would be a smarter way to travel.
02
I can’t afford to lose you.
Situation 1
Are we breaking up?
I think it’s time to go our separate ways.
I can’t afford to lose you.
It’ll ruin me.
I don’t see any other way.
I can’t ignore the cheating and lies.
Situation 2
I’m here to tell you that I’m leaving the company.
I can’t afford to lose you.
We need someone like you to lead the team.
I’m sorry, I wish things were different.
But I’ve already made up my mind.
Okay, I respect your decision.
I’ll let HR know.
03
I can’t afford to get married.
Situation 1
You should tell her the truth.
But she wants me to propose.
If you don’t tell her that you’re having money problems, she’ll misunderstand your actions.
I guess I should tell her that I can’t afford to get married.
Situation 2
I can’t afford to get married.
Who can?
A wedding is a significant expense.
I don’t think she’s open to other options though.
I think you should discuss the situation with her.
04
I can’t afford to eat out often.
Situation 1
Do you wanna join us for Wing Night on Friday?
I can’t afford to eat out often.
It’s okay.
Just bring some cash and we can share.
I wouldn’t be comfortable with that.
But thank you for inviting me.
Situation 2
How come you always pack your lunch?
I can’t afford to eat out often.
Are you saving up for something?
Actually, I’m saving toward a down payment for a condo.
05
I can’t afford to buy luxury goods.
Situation 1
Did you get a new wallet?
Yea, I went shopping this weekend.
It’s really nice.
I can’t afford to buy luxury goods.
I used to think that way.
But I stopped spending on the little things to buy a better quality product.
Situation 2
I can’t afford to buy luxury goods.
I don’t know many people who can actually afford them financially.
People seem to want to show off their wealth and higher status.
It might be about feeling self-worth through the act of purchasing the finer things in life.
Writer’s Note
Can’t is used in the present tense to express a lack of ability. Here are some examples of can’t + verb to express things you cannot do.
- I can’t stand properly with these heels.
- You can’t eat junk food for dinner.
- We can’t spoil our kids this way.
- He can’t see her because she’s in ICU.
- She can’t expect people to give her all the attention she wants.
- Our company can’t serve the needs of our senior staff any longer.
- I can’t imagine all the pain you must be going through.
- You can’t undo what has already been done.
What kind of things do you usually advise not to do? What kind of warnings do you give members of your family, using the word can’t? Don’t be shy, share your sentences!
