Meaning
to dislike something very much; to find something unbearable
Primary Function
expresses strong negative feeling
Communicative Purpose
to state aversions
Pattern
can’t stand; doing something
Core Structure
can’t stand; doing something
Função primária
expresses strong negative feeling
Propósito comunicativo
to state aversions
Situações de gatilho
complaints, preferences, interpersonal conflicts
Contextos
everyday conversation, informal settings
Padrão
can’t stand; doing something
Estrutura central
can’t stand; doing something
Slots de substituição
a gerund phrase (verb‑ing) describing the action or situation you dislike
Colocados típicos
- really
- simply
- absolutely
- I
- just
Substituições comuns
- can’t bear
- detest
- loathe
- hate
Erros comuns
using infinitive: *can’t stand to wait (the gerund form is more common for general dislike)
Similar / contraste
can’t bear, detest, loathe, hate
Interferências
both the gerund and infinitive forms can be used depending on register; in informal speech the gerund dominates
Família do chunk
- can’t bear
- hate
- detest
- abhor
Nuance
'can’t stand' conveys a very personal, intense aversion; often used informally rather than formally.
Efeito pragmático
highly emotive – signals strong disapproval or irritation toward an action or situation.
Dica de memória
I can’t stand waiting in long lines.
Nota
Common in spoken English to express strong dislike or intolerance for something.
Upgrade path
use ‘detest’ or ‘loathe’ for formal written expression
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