This cannot be overstated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "This cannot be overstated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize the importance or significance of a statement or idea, indicating that it is so crucial that it deserves repeated mention. Example: "The impact of climate change on our planet cannot be overstated; it affects every aspect of our environment and society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

This cannot be overstated: the survival of the faith tradition as a whole hangs in the balance.

The Guardian - Opinion

This cannot be overstated, as the team behind Samaritans Radar found out in 2014 when they deployed an app with the best of intentions, only to discover it was unfit for purpose.

The Guardian

This cannot be overstated," Christine Dorchak, the president and general counsel of GREY2K USA, an animal-advocacy group, wrote me in an email last week.

Forbes

This cannot be overstated: From the toggle switches for the windows and fog lights to the rocker buttons for the fan-speed controls, every switch and dial in the Mini feels of a piece with Mini and only the Mini.

Forbes

This cannot be overstated.

The New York Times

This cannot be overstated; you can NEVER smile too much.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The urgency of this problem cannot be overstated.

The New York Times

The integrity of this transaction cannot be overstated.

The Washington Post

The importance of this distinction cannot be overstated.

Harvard Business Review

"The significance of this watch cannot be overstated," he said.

The Guardian - Film

The significance of this ruling cannot be overstated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "This cannot be overstated" when you want to emphasize a point that is often overlooked or misunderstood. It adds weight to your statement and urges the reader to recognize its importance.

Common error

Avoid using "This cannot be overstated" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Use it sparingly for points of truly critical importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "This cannot be overstated" functions as an intensifier, used to stress the significance or importance of a preceding statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, highlighting its role in emphasizing crucial points. The examples show its use in various contexts to underscore significance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "This cannot be overstated" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for emphasizing the critical importance of a statement. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, it is crucial to employ it judiciously to maintain its impact. Appearing frequently in news media and occasionally in Wiki and scientific contexts, it signals a deliberate effort to highlight often-overlooked significance. Alternative phrases such as "it's critically important" and "it's of utmost importance" provide similar emphasis, though the core phrase carries a unique nuanced strength when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It's critically important

This alternative emphasizes the importance directly, omitting the element of potential underestimation.

It's of utmost importance

Using "utmost importance" highlights significance but lacks the nuance of potential underestimation.

It's absolutely essential

Replaces "cannot be overstated" with "absolutely essential", focusing on necessity rather than potential underrating.

Its significance is paramount

This uses more formal language to express high importance, without directly addressing potential underestimation.

The importance is undeniable

This highlights the certainty of the importance, shifting the focus from potential underestimation.

It's crucially significant

Replacing "cannot be overstated" with "crucially significant" emphasizes the critical nature of the subject.

It holds immense value

This emphasizes the value or worth, rather than explicitly stating it cannot be overstated.

It's vital to remember

This alternative focuses on the necessity of remembering, rather than the risk of underestimation.

Its impact is monumental

This highlights the scale of the impact, moving away from the idea of something being understated.

It is fundamentally critical

This focuses on the fundamental importance, rather than the potential to understate.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "This cannot be overstated" in a sentence?

Place "This cannot be overstated" after the statement you want to emphasize. For example, "The importance of early detection "this cannot be overstated"."

What are some alternative ways to express the same idea as "This cannot be overstated"?

You can use alternatives like "it's critically important", "it's of utmost importance", or "it's absolutely essential" to convey a similar level of emphasis.

In what contexts is "This cannot be overstated" most appropriate?

"This cannot be overstated" is suitable in formal writing, news articles, and academic papers to emphasize a critical point. It's less common in informal conversations.

Is it grammatically correct to say "The importance of this cannot be overstated"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. For instance, "The importance of this distinction "this cannot be overstated"" is a perfectly valid sentence structure.