can not be given

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can not be given" is correct and usable in written English, though "cannot" is more commonly used.
You can use it when indicating that something is not possible to provide or deliver. Example: "Due to privacy concerns, certain information can not be given to the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Responsibility can not be given to a single decision maker, everyone needs to play their part.

The Guardian

As with previous disclosures by Facebook and Yahoo, exact figures can not be given due to gagging orders by the US government.

Independent

A precise age for this event can not be given.

Geochemical Transactions

Even if an answer can not be given, just the fact that their concerns were listened to and addressed goes a long way with the healing process.

Huffington Post

An estimation of the dog density can not be given, while the area that is utilized by the dogs changed in time, due to changing water levels.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Drug-resistant strains exhibiting production of virulence factors will be more serious in case of immuno-compromised patients where relapses of infection occurs because high doses can not be given and weakened immune system could not clear the infection.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

A single definition of the meaning of the concept can therefore not be given.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Can quantum mechanics not be given a realistic interpretation?

SEP

"I can understand that a penalty might not be given, but not a referee telling me he didn't feel he could give it.

The New York Times

In particular, the following teas are recommended: Ginger tea can be very soothing but should not be given to children under two years old.[10].[10]

WikiHow

As no cake can be eaten that has not been given (by a shopkeeper) and taken.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using the contracted form "cannot" instead of "can not" for a more concise and common writing style. While both are grammatically correct, "cannot" is generally preferred in modern English.

Common error

Avoid writing "cannot be given" as "can not be given" or "can-not-be-given". Ensure the phrase is either written as two separate words with a space ("can not be given") or as one word ("cannot be given").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can not be given" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating that something is impossible or not permitted to be provided or delivered. As seen in Ludwig, it denotes a lack of ability or authorization for an action to occur.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can not be given" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express that something is impossible or not allowed to be provided. While acceptable, the contraction "cannot be given" is generally preferred for conciseness. Ludwig examples show that this phrase commonly appears in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. Remember to use correct spacing and consider more formal alternatives like "is not permitted" depending on the writing context. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, "can not be given" is correct and usable in written English, though "cannot" is more commonly used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be provided

Replaces the separate "can not" with the single word "cannot", which is a more common contraction.

cannot be granted

Substitutes "given" with "granted", suggesting a formal authorization is lacking.

cannot be offered

Replaces "given" with "offered", implying that something is not available for someone.

cannot be supplied

Uses "supplied" instead of "given", emphasizing a lack of resources or delivery.

is not possible to give

Rephrases the sentence structure to use "is not possible", which is a more explicit declaration of impossibility.

cannot be presented

Employs "presented" instead of "given", focusing on the act of showing or introducing something.

is unable to be given

Changes "can not" to "is unable", providing a more formal tone.

is not allowed to be given

Specifies that there is a prohibition or restriction on giving something.

is impossible to give

Replaces "can not" with "is impossible", strengthening the statement of impossibility.

may not be given

Substitutes "can" with "may", indicating permission rather than ability.

FAQs

What's the difference between "can not be given" and "cannot be given"?

Both "can not be given" and "cannot be given" are grammatically correct, but "cannot be given" is more commonly used and considered more concise. Using "cannot be given" generally results in smoother, more natural-sounding writing.

How can I rephrase "can not be given" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "is not permitted", "is not authorized", or "is unable to be given". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What does it mean when something "can not be given"?

When something "can not be given", it means that it is impossible or not allowed to provide, offer, or grant that thing. The reason could range from legal restrictions to practical limitations.

What are some situations where information "can not be given"?

Information "can not be given" in situations involving privacy concerns, legal restrictions (like gag orders), or national security. For example, details about ongoing investigations or personal medical records "cannot be disclosed".