can not be

USAGE SUMMARY

"can not be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that is not physically or logically possible. Example: No matter how hard I try, this problem simply cannot be solved.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It can not be done practically".

The Guardian

Double accounting can not be accounted for.

The Guardian

Our loss can not be measured.

The New York Times

Your safety can not be guaranteed".

The New York Times - Travel

They can be destructive and they can not be.

The Guardian - Books

The subject can not be considered again untill 1964.

The New Yorker

Your passing creates a void that can not be filled.

The New York Times

The same can not be said about the service.

The New York Times

You can not be forced to practice medicine.

The New York Times - Magazine

Because it is encrypted, it can not be sampled.

The Guardian

"I can not be prouder.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing impossibility or negation, ensure the context clearly supports the use of "can not be" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "can't be" (the contraction of "can not be") is common in spoken and informal written English, avoid it in formal or academic writing where "can not be" is generally preferred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can not be" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing impossibility, negation, or prohibition. Ludwig's examples show its use across various contexts to deny a possibility or capability. The phrase combines the modal verb 'can' with the negation 'not' and the auxiliary verb 'be'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

26%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can not be" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express impossibility, negation, or prohibition. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While the contracted form "cannot be" is also acceptable, "can not be" is often preferred in formal contexts. It appears across various domains, especially in news, media, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the impossibility or restriction being conveyed. Alternatives such as "is not possible" or "is unable to be" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be

Contraction of "can not be"; often considered more informal but widely accepted.

is not possible

Uses a different grammatical structure to convey impossibility.

is impossible to be

Adds emphasis to the impossibility aspect.

is unable to be

Focuses on the lack of ability or capacity.

cannot exist

Highlights the non-existence or impossibility of existing.

is out of the question

Idiomatic expression indicating something is not permissible or feasible.

is not an option

Indicates something is not a viable choice or alternative.

is not feasible

Emphasizes the impracticality of something.

is beyond the realm of possibility

Emphasizes the extreme unlikelihood or impossibility.

is simply not an option

Strongly emphasizes the lack of viability.

FAQs

How can I use "can not be" in a sentence?

Use "can not be" to express that something is impossible or not allowed, such as "The problem "can not be solved" with current methods".

What can I say instead of "can not be"?

You can use alternatives like "is not possible", "is impossible to be", or "is unable to be" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "can not be" or "cannot be"?

"Can not be" and "cannot be" are both grammatically correct. "Cannot" is a contraction of "can not". In formal writing, "can not be" is often preferred. In informal writing, you can use "cannot be".

When should I use "can not be" instead of "could not be"?

Use "can not be" to express present or future impossibility, while "could not be" expresses past impossibility or a conditional possibility. For example, "This "can not be done" now", versus "That "could not be done" yesterday".