you can not have it vs you can't have it both ways

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings and contexts. 'You can not have it' is a general statement indicating that something is not possible. 'You can't have it both ways' means you can't have things contradictory or incompatible at the same time. They are not directly comparable as they convey different messages.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 697 views

you can not have it

This phrase is correct but less common in everyday English. It is a general statement indicating that something is not possible.

This phrase is used to express that a particular thing or situation is not achievable or permissible.

Show examples from the web [+]

Perhaps you can not have it to jail for what he wrote.

Alternatives:

You cannot have it.
You are not able to have it.
It is not possible for you to have it.

you can't have it both ways

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It means you can't have things contradictory or incompatible at the same time.

This phrase is used to convey that a person cannot expect to have the benefits of two conflicting options simultaneously.

Show examples from the web [+]

So I says, Listen, Warren, you can't have it both ways.
You can't have it both ways, Harvey.
Well, you can't have it both ways, Colm.
You can't have it both ways.
But you can't have it both ways, Linda.
'Cause you can't have it both ways, metaphorically speaking.
And you can't have it both ways, so you got to make this work.
I appreciate your help, But you can't have it both ways.
I'm just saying you can't have it both ways.
you can't have it both ways.
You can't have it both ways, Mitch.
You can't have it both ways, Olivia.
You can't have it both ways.
You can't have it both ways.
You can't have it both ways, Ms. Westfall.
You can't have it both ways, Romy.
You can't have it both ways, Donna.
You can't have it both ways.
You can't have it both ways, son.
You can't have it both ways.

Alternatives:

You can't have your cake and eat it too.
You can't have the best of both worlds.
You can't have it all.

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you can not have it vs you can't have it both ways