Use of “I Can’t Afford to” in English Speaking with Daily Life Examples
◎ Important Points
- Use “I can’t afford to + base verb”.
- The verb after to should always be in its first form.
- It can talk about money problems.
- It can also talk about time, risk, or situations.
- Do not add -ing after to.
- Use it in everyday speaking situations.
- It makes your English sound natural and practical.
➤Key Concept
✅ Sentence Structure: Subject + can’t afford to + base verb + object
Example:
I can’t afford to buy a car this year.
This phrase means something is too expensive, risky, or difficult for you at the moment.
Speaking Tip:
Practice saying this phrase with different verbs like buy, waste, miss, travel, spend.
➤ Common Mistakes To Avoid
| Common Mistake | Wrong Example | Correct Example |
|---|---|---|
| Using verb + ing | I can’t afford to buying a laptop. | I can’t afford to buy a laptop. |
| Missing “to” | I can’t afford buy a phone. | I can’t afford to buy a phone. |
| Using past form after “to” | I can’t afford to bought a car. | I can’t afford to buy a car. |
| Wrong helping verb | I don’t can afford to travel. | I can’t afford to travel. |
| Wrong sentence meaning | I can’t afford for buy this shirt. | I can’t afford to buy this shirt. |
➤ Examples
- I can’t afford to buy a new phone right now.
- I can’t afford to miss today’s meeting.
- I can’t afford to waste my time.
- I can’t afford to travel this month.
- I can’t afford to spend too much money.
- I can’t afford to be late for work.
- I can’t afford to lose this job.
- I can’t afford to ignore my health.
- I can’t afford to skip my classes.
- I can’t afford to make another mistake.
➤ Practice Examples
Fill in the blanks
- I can’t afford to ______ a new bike.
- She can’t afford to ______ her flight.
- We can’t afford to ______ more money.
- They can’t afford to ______ late again.
- He can’t afford to ______ his studies.
Change incorrect sentence to correct one
- I can’t afford to buying shoes.
- She can’t afford buy a car.
- We can’t afford to wasted time.
- He don’t can afford to travel.
- They can’t afford for spend money.
Speak this sentence aloud
- I can’t afford to buy expensive clothes.
- I can’t afford to waste my weekends.
- I can’t afford to miss this chance.
- I can’t afford to be careless at work.
- I can’t afford to spend extra money today.
