cannot be annihilated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be annihilated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing concepts, entities, or phenomena that are indestructible or cannot be completely eliminated. Example: "The energy in the universe cannot be annihilated; it can only change forms."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Presenting race prejudice as sentiment governed by the association of ideas, Cooper explains that it is "impervious to reason" and "cannot be annihilated by rhetoric" (VAJC, 163).

SEP

Therefore, speaking philosophically, and logically, life cannot be annihilated; in other words, immortality is a fact.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I am drawn to the tangle of life, the beauty and the grace I find in people who struggle but cannot finally be annihilated.

Huffington Post

We cannot imagine that a person of integrity would say they are utterly indifferent about whether all Jews will be annihilated by Nazis in the future, be it a million years, ten million, twenty, or….

SEP

They must be annihilated".

The New Yorker

"Islamist fundamentalism must be annihilated," she said.

The New Yorker

Why should they not be annihilated?

The New Yorker

Change should be gradual, but distance should be annihilated.

The New Yorker

An isolated electron cannot disappear, though an electron and a positron, whose total charge is zero and whose mass is 2me (twice the mass of an electron), may simultaneously be annihilated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

'I was well aware that we would be annihilated.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If we carried on like this, we would be annihilated.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be annihilated" when you want to emphasize the absolute impossibility of something being destroyed or eliminated. This phrase adds a strong sense of permanence.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be annihilated" in everyday situations where simpler alternatives like "cannot be destroyed" or "cannot be eliminated" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be annihilated" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating the impossibility of something being completely destroyed or eliminated. Ludwig shows examples in scientific and philosophical contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be annihilated" is a grammatically sound modal verb phrase used to express the impossibility of something being completely destroyed. Ludwig AI validates this assessment. While relatively rare, its usage is primarily found in scientific and philosophical contexts, emphasizing absolute permanence. It's crucial to use this phrase judiciously, reserving it for situations where the absolute impossibility of destruction needs to be highlighted. Alternatives such as "cannot be destroyed" or "cannot be eliminated" may be more appropriate in simpler contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be destroyed

Replaces "annihilated" with the more common synonym "destroyed".

cannot be eliminated

Focuses on the inability to completely remove or get rid of something.

cannot be eradicated

Emphasizes a complete and permanent removal, often used for problems or diseases.

cannot be extinguished

Implies that something, like a fire or hope, cannot be put out or ended.

cannot be terminated

Highlights the impossibility of bringing something to an end or conclusion.

cannot be undone

Focuses on the irreversible nature of something, implying that its effects are permanent.

cannot be reversed

Similar to "cannot be undone", but specifically refers to the inability to change the direction or outcome of something.

cannot be negated

Emphasizes that something cannot be cancelled out or nullified.

cannot cease to exist

States directly that something will always continue to exist.

cannot disappear

Focuses on the impossibility of something vanishing or ceasing to be visible.

FAQs

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

You can use "cannot be annihilated" to emphasize the indestructible nature of something, as in "The spirit of innovation "cannot be annihilated" by censorship".

What's a simpler way to say "cannot be annihilated"?

Alternatives to "cannot be annihilated" include "cannot be destroyed", "cannot be eliminated", or "cannot be undone", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "cannot be annihilated" formal or informal?

"Cannot be annihilated" leans towards formal usage, suitable for academic writing, philosophical discussions, or contexts where you want to emphasize the absolute impossibility of destruction or elimination. Simpler alternatives might be more appropriate for informal settings.

What is the difference between "cannot be annihilated" and "cannot be destroyed"?

While similar, "cannot be annihilated" suggests a more complete and utter obliteration that is impossible to achieve, whereas ""cannot be destroyed"" implies an inability to ruin or break something, which may not necessarily involve complete removal.