cannot be alienated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be alienated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or philosophical contexts to indicate that something cannot be transferred or taken away from its owner or holder. Example: "Certain rights, such as the right to life, cannot be alienated under any circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The constitution guarantees that land cannot be alienated from its "indigenous custom owners," or traditional owners, and their descendants.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Both the notions of Greater Israel as the land of the Jewish people given to them by God and of Palestine as an Arab land that cannot be alienated from the Arab homeland need to be reduced in scale and exclusivity.

The New York Times - Magazine

However, such ethics are highly interwoven with clinical practices that cannot be alienated from them [ 8].

BMC Medical Ethics

Relationships with land in the two cultures are based on three principles: 1) that land ultimately belongs to the community and cannot be alienated from it without its consent; 2) that within the community, the individual has security of tenure for the land required for his/her compound, gardens and farms; and 3) that no member of the community shall be without land [ 13].

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Technology cannot be alienating because humans created it.

The New York Times

The property cannot then be alienated or transferred.

Wikipedia

He refuses to be alienated or agonised.

Independent

How will the occupants be alienated?

BBC

It will be alienating in some ways.

The New Yorker

It can also be alienating.

The New York Times - Style

Further, Sinofsky could be alienating.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be alienated" in formal contexts, especially when discussing rights, property, or abstract concepts that are intended to be permanently held.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be alienated" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "can't be taken away" or "can't be transferred" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be alienated" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something is not capable of being transferred or separated from its owner or holder. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be alienated" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, primarily found in formal, legal, or philosophical contexts. According to Ludwig, it indicates that something is not capable of being transferred or separated from its owner. While not particularly common, it is appropriate when emphasizing the permanent and inviolable nature of a right, property, or concept. In less formal settings, alternatives such as "cannot be transferred" or "cannot be taken away" may be more suitable. The Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its frequency is low and you should consider this fact when writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be transferred

Replaces "alienated" with the more common synonym "transferred".

cannot be surrendered

Focuses on the act of giving up something voluntarily, rather than a forced transfer.

is inalienable

Uses the adjective form "inalienable" to describe a quality of the subject.

is non-transferable

Uses the adjective form "non-transferable" as a synonym to say that it can't be passed on.

cannot be taken away

Emphasizes the impossibility of something being removed from its owner.

cannot be divested

Uses a more formal and legalistic term, "divested", implying a formal removal of rights or ownership.

cannot be forfeited

Highlights the impossibility of losing something as a penalty or consequence.

must be retained

Shifts the focus to the necessity of keeping something, rather than the impossibility of its removal.

remains inviolable

Uses the formal term "inviolable" to describe something that must not be infringed or dishonored.

is untouchable

Uses a more figurative term, "untouchable", implying something is protected and cannot be interfered with.

FAQs

What does "cannot be alienated" mean?

The phrase "cannot be alienated" means something cannot be transferred, sold, or taken away from its owner or holder. It is often used in legal or philosophical contexts to describe rights or properties that are considered inalienable.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "cannot be alienated"?

Use "cannot be alienated" in formal or legal contexts when discussing rights, property, or concepts that are intended to be permanently held and not subject to transfer or relinquishment. Simpler alternatives are preferred in more casual settings.

What can I say instead of "cannot be alienated"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be transferred", "cannot be surrendered", or "is inalienable" depending on the context.

Is "cannot be alienated" grammatically correct?

Yes, "cannot be alienated" is grammatically correct. It is a passive construction using "cannot be" followed by the past participle "alienated". Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct usage.