cannot be agreed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be agreed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where consensus or agreement is not possible among parties involved. Example: "The terms of the contract cannot be agreed upon due to differing expectations from both sides."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

The amount of that compensation will be assessed by the court if it cannot be agreed".

The Guardian

Even a transitional government, Mr. Rabbani said, cannot be agreed upon here.

The New York Times

If a new version cannot be agreed, objectors can opt out, allowing a smaller group of countries to press ahead.

The Economist

But he repeated his insistence that, if a satisfactory package cannot be agreed, he "rules nothing out".

The Guardian

If terms cannot be agreed upon, the fight would go to a purse bid on March 15.

The New York Times - Sports

But the UN seemed to be preparing for damage limitation, in case the timetable cannot be agreed.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

But the price cannot be agreeing to corporate donor payback provisions that would block or roll back the protections on which Americans rely for drinkable water, healthy workplaces, a fair marketplace, safe medicines and much more.

HuffPost

How can we have an informed and engaged citizenry, or functioning democracy, when basic facts cannot even be agreed upon?

Huffington Post

But what you do not, should not and cannot do is agree to be in your girlfriend's wedding and then leave her hanging in the wind just a few months before the wedding.

Huffington Post

"A bicycle that is painted with substances harmful to humans cannot be Islamic," agreed another professor.While the exchange elicited a flurry of mirthful commentary, not everyone was amused.

The Economist

Now in 2015 any Franco-German reference to "additional steps [that] are necessary to examine the political and institutional framework, common instruments and the legal basis" of the eurozone cannot be unanimously agreed without a similar reference to examining the non-eurozone.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be agreed", ensure the context clearly indicates which parties are failing to reach an agreement. Specify the subject matter that is under dispute for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be agreed" without specifying who is unable to agree. Leaving the actor ambiguous weakens the sentence and can lead to confusion. Always clarify the parties involved for a more effective communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be agreed" functions as a passive construction, indicating an inability to reach a consensus or agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid in written English. This construction allows the speaker or writer to focus on the lack of agreement rather than specifying who is unable to agree.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be agreed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction indicating an inability to reach a consensus. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, noting that it is particularly prevalent in news and media, with some usage in scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, clarity is paramount: ensure the context makes clear which parties are failing to agree. For alternatives, consider phrases like ""unable to be agreed upon"" or "no agreement can be reached" for similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to be agreed upon

Replaces the passive voice construction with a more direct phrasing.

impossible to agree on

Shifts the focus to the impossibility of reaching an agreement.

no agreement can be reached

Uses a different sentence structure to convey the lack of agreement.

consensus cannot be found

Emphasizes the absence of a consensus among parties.

parties cannot come to terms

Highlights the inability of parties to reach a settlement.

an agreement is not possible

Simplifies the expression to a statement of impossibility.

the parties are at odds

Focuses on the conflicting positions of the involved parties.

inability to find common ground

Highlights the lack of shared understanding or agreement.

the proposal is unacceptable

States that the suggestion or offer is not agreeable.

deadlock has been reached

Indicates a standstill in negotiations or discussions.

FAQs

What does "cannot be agreed" mean?

The phrase "cannot be agreed" indicates that the parties involved are unable to come to a consensus or reach an agreement on a particular matter.

How can I use "cannot be agreed" in a sentence?

You can use "cannot be agreed" to describe situations where different entities are failing to find common ground. For example, "The terms of the contract "unable to be agreed upon", stalling the project."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be agreed"?

Alternatives include ""unable to be agreed upon"", "no agreement can be reached", or "consensus cannot be found", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "cannot be agreed" or "cannot agree"?

"Cannot agree" usually requires a subject (e.g., "They cannot agree"), while "cannot be agreed" is used in the passive voice, often when the subject is less important or already understood. The best choice depends on the specific sentence structure and the emphasis you want to convey.