cannot be allowed

USAGE SUMMARY

"cannot be allowed" is correct for written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something should not be done or permitted. For example: "Cheating on exams cannot be allowed under any circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Obviously, this cannot be allowed.

The New Yorker

That cannot be allowed.

The New York Times

This cannot be allowed".

The Guardian

Exemptions cannot be allowed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Africa cannot be allowed to slide backwards.

The Economist

It cannot be allowed to happen.

The New York Times

But it cannot be allowed to prevail.

Independent

"This situation cannot be allowed to continue".

The New York Times

That corruption cannot be allowed.

The New York Times

This cannot be allowed to happen again.

The Guardian

That cannot be allowed to happen again.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be allowed" to express a firm stance against something, especially when outlining rules, policies, or ethical boundaries.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be allowed" when a softer stance is more appropriate. Overusing strong prohibitions can make your writing sound overly aggressive or dogmatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be allowed" functions as a modal passive construction expressing prohibition or strong disapproval. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showcasing its role in declaring something unacceptable. The examples reflect a variety of contexts where certain actions or situations are deemed impermissible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be allowed" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express strong prohibition or unacceptability. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently found in news and media, academia, and formal business contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the tone aligns with the intended message, avoiding overuse in situations where a softer approach is more appropriate. Remember that while alternatives like "must not be permitted" or "should not be tolerated" exist, "cannot be allowed" provides a clear and direct way to establish firm boundaries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must not be permitted

Emphasizes a strong obligation against allowing something.

should not be tolerated

Indicates that something is unacceptable and should not be endured.

is not permissible

Formally states that something is not allowed according to rules or laws.

is unacceptable

Indicates that something does not meet required standards or expectations.

cannot be tolerated

Highlights the inability to accept or endure something.

is out of the question

Expresses absolute rejection or impossibility.

is strictly prohibited

Emphasizes a formal and rigorous ban on something.

will not be permitted

States a future denial of permission.

is forbidden

Indicates something is banned or not allowed.

must be prevented

Focuses on the need to actively stop something from happening.

FAQs

How to use "cannot be allowed" in a sentence?

Use "cannot be allowed" to firmly state that something is not permitted or acceptable. For example, "Discrimination of any kind "cannot be allowed" in the workplace".

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

You can use alternatives like "must not be permitted", "should not be tolerated", or "is not permissible" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cannot be allowed" or "must not be allowed"?

Both ""cannot be allowed"" and "must not be allowed" are correct, but "must not be allowed" carries a stronger sense of obligation. The choice depends on the degree of prohibition you want to convey.

What's the difference between "cannot be allowed" and "should not be allowed"?

"Cannot be allowed" expresses a firm prohibition, indicating something is definitely not permitted. "Should not be allowed" suggests a recommendation against something, implying it's undesirable but potentially still possible. Therefore, ""cannot be allowed"" is stronger than "should not be allowed".