cannot be achieving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be achieving" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not usable because "achieving" is a present participle that does not fit with "cannot be" in this context. Example: "The goals set for this project cannot be achieved without proper resources."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If an intervention affects different groups differentially, then it is sub-optimally effective in some groups and cannot be achieving its full potential.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The greatest barrier to the achievement of justice is the belief that it cannot be achieved.

Huffington Post

"It cannot be achieved".

The New Yorker

Modernization cannot be achieved out of chaos".

The New York Times

But that cannot be achieved overnight.

The Economist

2. This cannot be achieved otherwise".

The New York Times

This cannot be achieved in three years.

The Guardian

It cannot be achieved by vague commitments.

The Guardian

This target cannot be achieved through universities alone.

The Guardian

But you must know that this cannot be achieved overnight.

The Guardian

But they cannot be achieved in a matter of months.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "cannot be achieving", opt for stronger and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "cannot be achieved", "cannot be accomplished", or "cannot be attained" to maintain clarity and professionalism in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using continuous tenses with modal verbs like "cannot" when referring to completed actions or states. Using "cannot be achieving" incorrectly implies an ongoing process that is impossible, whereas "cannot be achieved" correctly states that the goal is unattainable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be achieving" functions as a negated modal construction expressing impossibility. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically incorrect because "achieving" is a present participle that doesn't fit with "cannot be" in this context. The correct form is usually "cannot be achieved".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be achieving" is grammatically incorrect and rarely used in standard written English. As Ludwig AI explains, the present participle "achieving" does not fit with "cannot be" in this context. It's better to use alternatives like "cannot be achieved", "cannot be attained", or "cannot be accomplished". While the intent is to express impossibility, correct grammar is crucial for clear and professional communication. Using more appropriate phrases will enhance the credibility and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be attained

Replaces "achieving" with a more formal synonym "attained", indicating a completed action or goal.

cannot be accomplished

Substitutes "achieving" with "accomplished", which emphasizes the completion of a task.

cannot be realized

Replaces "achieving" with "realized", focusing on the actualization or manifestation of something.

cannot be reached

Changes the verb to "reached", implying a limitation in achieving a certain level or target.

cannot be obtained

Uses "obtained" instead of "achieving", highlighting the acquisition or gaining of something.

cannot be secured

Replaces "achieving" with "secured", which suggests ensuring or guaranteeing something is obtained.

cannot be fulfilled

Substitutes "achieving" with "fulfilled", focusing on the completion of a promise, expectation, or requirement.

cannot be brought about

Replaces the single verb with a phrasal verb, altering the structure while maintaining a similar meaning of impossibility.

cannot be made possible

Emphasizes the lack of possibility by stating that something cannot be made possible.

cannot be consummated

Replaces "achieving" with "consummated", focusing on the completion or finalization of an agreement, deal, or plan.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something is impossible to achieve?

Instead of the grammatically incorrect "cannot be achieving", use phrases like "cannot be achieved", "cannot be attained", or "cannot be accomplished".

Is "cannot be achieving" grammatically correct?

No, "cannot be achieving" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form is usually "cannot be achieved".

What does it mean when something "cannot be achieved"?

When something "cannot be achieved", it means that it is impossible to reach a particular goal or outcome. It suggests that the desired result is unattainable under the given circumstances.

What are some alternative ways to express that something is impossible to reach?

You can use phrases like "unattainable", "impossible to reach", or "beyond reach" to convey that something cannot be accomplished.