cannot be altered

USAGE SUMMARY

'cannot be altered' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something won't change, or that it is not possible to change something. Example: "The rules of the game cannot be altered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It cannot be altered so easily.

The Guardian - Arts

"These capabilities cannot be altered simply or quickly.

The Guardian

Past, future — these are things that cannot be altered.

The New Yorker

Moreover, Image cannot be altered and film processing is slow.

Procedia Materials Science

Obviously risk factors like race and age cannot be altered.

The New York Times - Health

For all Mother Nature's ways cannot be altered, this whole tournament dynamic is suddenly skewed.

The Guardian - Sport

This work displays the inherent tendency of the material and cannot be altered!

The New Yorker

Truth cannot be purchased and, thus, truth cannot be altered by money.

The New Yorker

They cannot be altered, even if he wanted to change the amounts.

The Guardian - Money

They say the rules governing women are sanctioned by scripture and therefore cannot be altered.

The Guardian

Where a date cannot be altered, we will not issue a refund.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be altered" when you want to emphasize the impossibility of changing something, especially when referring to rules, laws, or established facts. For instance: "Once the contract is signed, the terms cannot be altered."

Common error

While "cannot be altered" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing to use an active voice for a more direct and impactful statement: instead of "The decision cannot be altered", try "No one can alter the decision".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be altered" functions as a passive verb phrase, expressing the inability to modify or change something. Ludwig AI indicates it's a correct and usable phrase. It's used to denote immutability or a restriction on modification, as shown in Ludwig's examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

33%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be altered" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey the impossibility of changing or modifying something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase found across various domains, including news, science, and academia. Usage patterns show that it is most frequently used in news and media contexts, emphasizing its role in reporting on situations where rules, agreements, or facts are unchangeable. While alternatives like "cannot be modified" and "cannot be changed" exist, "cannot be altered" often carries a more formal tone. When employing this phrase, ensure that the passive voice does not weaken your writing and that the context necessitates the emphasis on immutability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be modified

Focuses on the impossibility of making changes or adjustments.

cannot be changed

Emphasizes the impossibility of transformation or alteration.

cannot be revised

Highlights the inability to correct or improve something.

cannot be adjusted

Focuses on the impossibility of tweaking or fine-tuning.

cannot be amended

Specifically refers to the impossibility of making formal changes or additions.

cannot be undone

Implies the impossibility of reversing or negating something.

is immutable

Emphasizes the unchangeable nature of something in a more formal tone.

is unchangeable

Directly states the impossibility of change.

is irreversible

Focuses on the inability to return something to its original state.

is set in stone

Uses a metaphor to describe something that is fixed and unalterable.

FAQs

What does "cannot be altered" mean?

The phrase "cannot be altered" signifies that something is in a final state and is impossible or forbidden to change, modify, or adjust in any way.

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

You can use alternatives like "cannot be modified", "cannot be changed", or "is immutable" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be altered" in writing?

Use "cannot be altered" when describing rules, legal agreements, or established protocols where changes are strictly prohibited. For example, "The terms of the agreement, once finalized, cannot be altered".

Is "cannot be altered" the same as "cannot be changed"?

While similar, "cannot be altered" often implies a more formal or official context than "cannot be changed". Altered suggests a deliberate or significant modification, whereas changed is a more general term.