cannot be apportioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be apportioned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something cannot be divided or distributed among different parties or elements. Example: "The total cost of the project cannot be apportioned equally among all team members due to varying levels of contribution."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Direct valuation of air quality has as a drawback; that estimated willingness to pay figures cannot be apportioned to the several environmental goods affected by air quality, such as mortality and morbidity effects, visibility, outdoor recreation, among others.

Journal of Environmental Management

Note the ingredients that cannot be apportioned easily and will require conversion to cup measures.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Costs that cannot be attributed directly must be apportioned by other means.

Health Economics Review

Some blame can rightly be apportioned here.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our officials shouldn't be apportioned by any standard.

The New York Times

By the late '60s, there was reluctant consensus that both houses should be apportioned by population.

The New York Times

If there is blame to be apportioned, Ferguson must take his share.

BBC

The vote on whether to let the plant in would be apportioned in the same way.

Forbes

In fairness, the city legislators argued, the tax should be apportioned statewide.

Forbes

Blame for this mess can be apportioned equally.

Huffington Post

In the other house, representatives would be apportioned by the size of the population.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be apportioned" when you want to emphasize that something is inherently indivisible or that attempting to divide it would be impractical or inaccurate. For example, use it to describe abstract concepts like blame or responsibility when the exact contribution of different factors is unclear.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be apportioned" when you simply mean something is difficult to divide or allocate, rather than truly impossible. "Difficult to apportion" is more appropriate when division is possible but challenging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be apportioned" functions as a descriptor indicating something's indivisibility or resistance to allocation. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in contexts where exact distribution is impractical or inaccurate.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

Wiki

50%

News & Media

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be apportioned" is used to describe situations where something is impossible to divide or allocate. Ludwig's analysis and examples confirm its correct usage, though it is relatively rare. The phrase is best suited for formal or scientific contexts, where emphasizing the inherent indivisibility of something is crucial. Alternatives like "cannot be divided" or "cannot be allocated" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. As Ludwig AI correctly points out, it is grammatically sound for use in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be divided

Focuses on the inability to separate something into parts.

cannot be allocated

Highlights the impossibility of assigning something to specific recipients or purposes.

cannot be distributed

Emphasizes the inability to spread something among different entities.

cannot be assigned

Highlights the impossibility of giving a specific job or task to someone.

cannot be segregated

Stresses the impossibility of keeping something separate or distinct.

cannot be fragmented

Highlights the inability to break something into smaller, disconnected pieces.

cannot be attributed

Emphasizes the inability to assign a cause or origin.

cannot be compartmentalized

Focuses on the inability to divide something into distinct categories or sections.

cannot be dissociated

Focuses on the impossibility of separating or disconnecting something.

cannot be isolated

Highlights the inability to separate something from its surroundings.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be apportioned" when describing something that inherently resists division or allocation. For example: "The benefits of the policy "cannot be apportioned" equally due to the varying needs of different communities."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be apportioned"?

Alternatives include phrases like "cannot be divided", "cannot be allocated", or "cannot be distributed", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "cannot be apportioned" or "cannot be easily apportioned"?

"Cannot be apportioned" implies a fundamental impossibility of division, while "cannot be easily apportioned" suggests division is possible but challenging. The best choice depends on whether the division is truly impossible or just difficult.

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

"Cannot be apportioned" indicates an inherent inability to divide or allocate, whereas "should not be apportioned" implies a judgment against doing so, even if it were technically possible.