Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

cannot be apply

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be apply" is not correct in English.
The correct form should be "cannot be applied." You can use it when discussing something that is not suitable or relevant for a particular situation or context. Example: "The rules cannot be applied to this case due to its unique circumstances."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Furthermore, although Pathway Processor 2.0 is a web resource for converting gene expression into pathway expression and identifying differentially regulated pathways in an input datasets, users have to submit their own expression data, and cannot be apply for plants [ 24].

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Tax credits cannot be applied to personal income taxes.

News & Media

The New York Times

Normally, federal aid cannot be applied to economic development.

News & Media

The New York Times

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

News & Media

The New York Times

This definition cannot be applied without important modifications.

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

News & Media

The New York Times

Yet there is no reason a similar principle cannot be applied more broadly.

News & Media

The Guardian

Unfortunately, many of these methods cannot be applied to the most important questions facing economic policymakers.

As for the claim of self-defense, it simply cannot be applied indefinitely.

News & Media

The New York Times

"Colin Powell is asking Hezbollah to withdraw from the south, and this cannot be applied to us.

News & Media

The New York Times

The chemical cannot be applied near lakes, reservoirs or other bodies of water.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct past participle form of the verb "apply", which is "applied", when using it with "cannot be". This ensures grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the base form "apply" after "cannot be". The correct form is the past participle "applied". For example, instead of saying "This rule cannot be apply", say "This rule cannot be applied".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be apply" functions as an incorrect attempt to form a passive construction. The correct structure requires the past participle form of the verb. Ludwig AI flags this phrase as incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be apply" is grammatically incorrect; the proper form is "cannot be applied". Ludwig AI highlights this error. The intention is to express that something is not suitable for a specific situation or context. While examples appear across various source types, the grammatical error diminishes the overall reliability and expert rating of the phrase. To avoid this mistake, always use the past participle form of the verb "apply" when using it with "cannot be".

FAQs

How do I correct the phrase "cannot be apply"?

The correct phrase is "cannot be applied". The verb "apply" needs to be in its past participle form when used after "be" in passive constructions.

What's the difference between "cannot be apply" and "cannot be applied"?

"Cannot be apply" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "cannot be applied", which uses the past participle of "apply".

When should I use "cannot be used" instead of "cannot be applied"?

Use "cannot be used" when you want to express that something is not suitable for a general purpose. Use "cannot be applied" when you mean something isn't relevant or appropriate for a specific situation or context.

What are some alternatives to saying something "cannot be applied"?

Alternatives include "is not applicable", "cannot be implemented", or "does not apply" depending on the intended meaning.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: