afford
v.v. to have enough money to pay for something. You can also use it to say you have enough time or energy to do something without causing a problem.
v. to have sufficient financial resources to pay for a commodity or service; to be able to do something without risk of adverse consequences.
I cannot afford to buy a new car this year.
After saving for three years, the couple could finally afford the down payment on their first home.
The administration realized they could not afford to ignore the growing public outcry, as further silence would likely result in a total loss of political capital.
From Middle English afforthen, aforthen, avorthien, from earlier iforthen, iforthien, ȝeforthien, from Old English forþian, ġeforþian (“to further, accomplish, afford”), from Proto-Germanic furþōną, from Proto-Germanic furþą (“forth, forward”), equivalent to a- + forth. Cognate with Old Norse forða (“to forward oneself, save oneself, escape danger”), Icelandic forða (“to save, rescue”).
The verb is transitive and is almost always preceded by 'can', 'could', or 'be able to' in negative or interrogative sentences.
I don't afford a new carI can't afford a new carAfford is rarely used in the simple present or past without a modal verb like 'can' or 'could'.