Cool MateIt can't be vs Unlikely
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
It can't be
Top 2,000 (common)
Unlikely
Top 2,000 (common)B1adjective
| It can't be | Unlikely | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪt kɑːnt biː//🇺🇸 //ɪt kænt bi// | 🇬🇧 /["/ʌnˈlaɪkli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʌnˈlaɪkli/"]/ |
| Meaning | It is not possible. | Not likely to happen or to be true. |
| Example | When he said he could lift that car, I thought, 'It can't be!' | It is unlikely that it will rain today given the clear skies. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | it can't be true, it can't be real, it can't be happening, it can't be serious | appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very, appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very, appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very |
| Antonyms | - | likely, probable, certain |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'it' and saying just 'can't be'., Using 'can't' in very formal speech., Confusing with 'it shouldn’t be' which implies advice rather than disbelief. | Confused with 'unlikely' vs 'unlikelyhood', Incorrectly using it in an informal context where 'improbable' might fit better., Using 'unlikely' to describe a person's character instead of a situation. |
| Usage notes | Used to express disbelief or rejection of a statement. Appropriate in both spoken and written contexts. Avoid in overly formal settings. | Use 'unlikely' to describe situations or outcomes that are not expected. It's more appropriate in neutral contexts; avoid in very formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: It can't be vs Unlikely
What's the difference between It can't be and Unlikely?
It can't be: It is not possible. Unlikely: Not likely to happen or to be true.
Can you show an example of each?
It can't be: When he said he could lift that car, I thought, 'It can't be!' Unlikely: It is unlikely that it will rain today given the clear skies.
Can I use It can't be and Unlikely interchangeably?
Not always. It can't be and Unlikely are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.