I can't just do that, she is an autonomous person, and quite willful also. Despite her age, she is not only as lucid as it gets - she still works (although from home) as an applied mathematician!
reply> I can't just do that
replyYou can in fact just do that. Whether or not you should is another question.
In context, "I can't just do that" means "I shouldn't do that".
replyIn context, me saying 'You can just do that' means 'You should do that' (barring there being good reason, which I haven't seen so far).
replyI hate that phrasing. It was weaponised by teachers in my youth. It's still used by some people to close doors and remove options without good reason. I'll make fun of it whenever I can.
Ah, I see! I was a bit annoyed by you seemingly pointlessly correcting the parent, but now I understand your PoV.
replyThe door seems genuinely closed here though.