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This is slightly off-topic: in the latest episode of the Words for Granted podcast (iTunes RSS ) the author explains the etymology of handicap and why it shouldn't be used as an adjective.

Question 3, English

My neighbour's cat is very friendly, comes over every day, and I like to think that I'm his favourite neighbour. But they're moving away next week! I'm very sad. Can I say "I can't take it!" to mean I find it hard to accept that he's moving away?

"That's so sad!", I tell everyone. What are other expressions I could use?

Thanks!

"So are they getting us another cat...?"

"I can't take it" is more appropriate in unpleasant situations , e.g. you are being bullied at work, or someone is being obnoxious to you.

"I'm really going to miss him", or "Oh no! What am I gonna do without him!" would be more appropriate.

yeah, afaiu "I can't take it" implies that you've been suffering for some time and finally can't stand it anymore. Whereas you're anticipating the sadness

"I can't take it" sounds fine to me in that context although maybe a bit extreme (like it will bring you to tears).

You could say "I'm bummed out" or "it really sucks" which are both quite casual.

Serpent wrote:afaiu "I can't take it" implies that you've been suffering for some time and finally can't stand it anymore. Whereas you're anticipating the sadness

afaIu, "I can't take it any more" means that you've been suffering for some time and finally can't stand it any more. "He took her death well", ie. "take" without "any more", is not about finally exceeding tolerance level. Either way, my phrase is not right for this situation so nevermind.

Thanks, all.

Cat's leaving this week!

smallwhite wrote:

Serpent wrote:afaiu "I can't take it" implies that you've been suffering for some time and finally can't stand it anymore. Whereas you're anticipating the sadness

afaIu, "I can't take it any more" means that you've been suffering for some time and finally can't stand it any more. "He took her death well", ie. "take" without "any more", is not about finally exceeding tolerance level. Either way, my phrase is not right for this situation so nevermind.

Thanks, all.

Cat's leaving this week!

I think the "I can't take it" is still too strong, even without the "anymore". And it also implies that something is already happening or happens on a recurring basis (present simple tense). I really like "I'm going to miss him" and add stuff if you want to make it stronger eg "so much".

smallwhite wrote:My neighbour's cat is very friendly, comes over every day, and I like to think that I'm his favourite neighbour. But they're moving away next week! I'm very sad. Can I say "I can't take it!" to mean I find it hard to accept that he's moving away?

"That's so sad!", I tell everyone. What are other expressions I could use?

There're actually 2 separate questions:

Q3a = Can I say "I can't take it!" to mean I find it hard to accept that he's moving away?
In other words, how do you say or express "I find it hard to accept that he's moving away", what's another word or phrase for finding something such as bad news hard to accept? Or can't accept. Something like "I can't accept it!" (that he's moving away) but that sounds awkward as an interjection.

Q3b is all the different ways to express my sorrow (Everyone understood this question and I like the answers, too).

Here's a possibility:
The neighbor is moving away.
"I just can't imagine him/her not living next door (or wherever)."

I'm in denial.