afford
B1Neutral to formal. Common in both everyday and professional contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To have the financial means or sufficient resources to pay for something.
To be able to do, give, or spare something without causing significant detriment; to provide or supply.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used with 'can', 'could', or 'be able to' to indicate ability within constraints. The meaning of 'provide' is more formal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor differences in collocational frequency. The 'provide' sense is slightly more formal/literary in both.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SVO (afford something)SVtoINF (afford to do something)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “can ill afford (to)”
- “can afford to be generous/magnanimous”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'The company cannot afford further delays in the launch.'
Academic
'The study's small sample size affords limited generalizability.'
Everyday
'We can't afford to eat out this week.'
Technical
Rare in highly technical contexts, except in financial analysis.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We simply can't afford the train fare to London.
- The new law affords greater protection to tenants.
- He afforded me a charming smile.
American English
- We can't afford the gas for a road trip right now.
- The balcony affords a beautiful view of the park.
- I can't afford to miss another deadline.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I can't afford this bag.
- Can you afford a new phone?
- We couldn't afford to go on holiday last year.
- He finally saved enough to afford a flat.
- The government can ill afford another scandal before the election.
- Few families can afford the luxury of private tuition.
- The treaty affords each signatory nation the right to peaceful transit.
- No artist can afford to be complacent about their technique.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A FORD car. 'Can I AFFORD a FORD?'
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOURCES ARE A CONTAINER (having enough in your container to give some away).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'afford' as 'affordirovat'' – it does not exist. Use 'позволить себе' or 'иметь возможность'. The 'provide' sense translates as 'предоставлять'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'afford' without 'can/could' (e.g., 'I afford a car' is incorrect). Confusing 'effort' with 'afford'. Using 'afford' for time/opportunity when it sounds unnatural.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'afford' in its 'provide' sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost never in modern English for the 'have enough money' meaning. The formal 'provide' sense can be used without them (e.g., 'It affords an opportunity').
Yes, it's the related adjective meaning 'inexpensive enough to be bought or done'.
'Afford' (in the 'provide' sense) is more formal and often implies a inherent quality providing something (e.g., a seat affords a view). 'Offer' is more active and direct.
Yes, commonly for time ('can't afford the time'), and more formally for abstract things like opportunity or protection ('affords security').
Collections
Part of a collection
Shopping
A2 · 50 words · Vocabulary for buying and selling goods.