cannot be applied

USAGE SUMMARY

"cannot be applied" is correct and usable in written English.
It should be used when you want to express that something will not be successful or will not work. For example: "The same rules cannot be applied to every situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tax credits cannot be applied to personal income taxes.

The New York Times

Normally, federal aid cannot be applied to economic development.

The New York Times

"This law cannot be applied in such a city".

The New York Times

Tax credits, however, cannot be applied to catastrophic plans.

The New York Times

This definition cannot be applied without important modifications.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Offer cannot be applied to past purchases.

TechCrunch

Consequently, Theorem 3.1 cannot be applied.

Advances in Difference Equations

They cannot be applied to rearrangement tasks.

ROBOMECH Journal

But Theorem 3.1 cannot be applied.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Therefore, the proposed algorithm cannot be applied.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Thus, Theorem 3.3 cannot be applied.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and the level of formality required when selecting "cannot be applied" or an alternative phrase. Some contexts may benefit from more nuanced wording.

Common error

Avoid stating that something "cannot be applied" without providing a clear reason. Always clarify the specific circumstances that prevent its application.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be applied" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a particular rule, method, or principle is inapplicable in a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

22%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be applied" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as verified by Ludwig AI. It effectively conveys that something is inapplicable in a given situation. While appropriate for various contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedias, it's crucial to provide clear reasons for the inapplicability to avoid ambiguity. When considering alternative phrasing, options like "is not applicable" or "is not suitable" may offer nuanced expressions of the same core idea. Keep in mind that this phrase has neutral to formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not applicable

Uses different wording to express inapplicability.

is not suitable

Indicates the unsuitability of something in a given context.

is not appropriate

Emphasizes the inappropriateness of something.

is not valid

Suggests something lacks validity in a specific situation.

does not hold

Implies a lack of validity or relevance.

is not relevant

Highlights the irrelevance of something.

is not the right fit

Indicates a mismatch or incompatibility.

is ineffective

Focuses on the lack of effectiveness.

is ruled out

Suggests a more decisive exclusion.

does not work

A simpler, more direct way of expressing ineffectiveness.

FAQs

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

The phrase "cannot be applied" is appropriate when you want to express that a rule, method, or concept is not suitable or effective in a particular situation. It indicates that something is inapplicable due to specific circumstances.

What are some alternatives to "cannot be applied"?

You can use alternatives like "is not applicable", "is not suitable", or "is not relevant" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "cannot be applied" differ from "is not effective"?

"Cannot be applied" indicates that something is fundamentally unsuitable or impossible to use in a given context. "Is not effective" suggests that something can be used but does not produce the desired results. The difference lies in whether application is possible versus whether it's successful.

Is "cannot be applied" formal or informal language?

"Cannot be applied" is generally considered neutral to formal. While understandable in most contexts, for highly formal or technical writing, consider whether a more precise alternative like "is not applicable" might be more appropriate.