de ne pouvoir

to be unable to

→ de

phrase Rare #31,947

to be unable to Used before an infinitive to express regret or apology about not being able to do something. It is often followed by a verb, as in de ne pouvoir vous aider. In this construction, ne is used without pas because the infinitive phrase is introduced by de.

FR: Je suis désolé de ne pouvoir venir ce soir.

EN: I'm sorry I can't come tonight.

Je suis triste de ne pouvoir apprendre toutes les langues du monde.

I am sad that I cannot learn all the languages of the world.

Je suis désolé de ne pouvoir être celui que tu voudrais que je sois.

I'm sorry I can't be the person you want me to be.

Il se plaignit de ne pouvoir trouver un emploi.

He complained that he couldn't find a job.

Je crains de ne pouvoir le permettre.

I'm afraid I can't afford it.

Excuse-moi de ne pouvoir t'en dire plus.

Sorry I can't tell you more.