cannot be avoided

USAGE SUMMARY

"cannot be avoided" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used when talking about something that is inevitable and cannot be prevented or stopped. Example: No matter how hard we try, aging is a natural process that cannot be avoided.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It cannot be avoided.

The New Yorker

Grits cannot be avoided.

The New York Times - Food

Anthropomorphism cannot be avoided.

The New York Times

Bias cannot be avoided, we just can't help ourselves.

The Guardian

But the question of long-term funding cannot be avoided.

The Guardian

"On the one hand, war probably cannot be avoided.

The New York Times

But the broader issue of firearms proliferation cannot be avoided.

The New Yorker

Death cannot be avoided – but it can be eased.

Independent

To successfully lift the weight cannot be avoided.

The New York Times

It applies the brakes if a collision cannot be avoided.

The Economist

In the world of "Les Troyens," difficult decisions cannot be avoided.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be avoided" to clearly and directly state the inevitability of a situation or outcome. This phrase works well in both formal and informal contexts to convey a sense of certainty.

Common error

While versatile, overuse of "cannot be avoided" in highly formal writing can make your tone sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "is unavoidable" or "is inevitable" to maintain a sophisticated style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be avoided" functions as a modal expression of necessity, indicating that a certain action, event, or outcome is inevitable. It highlights a lack of control or prevention, and it is considered correct by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be avoided" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express inevitability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, though primarily found in news and scientific sources. While versatile, remember to vary your language in highly formal writing to avoid sounding repetitive. Related phrases include "is unavoidable" and "is inevitable". This phrase effectively conveys the certainty that something is impossible to prevent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unavoidable

This alternative uses a synonym for "avoided", maintaining a high degree of semantic similarity.

is inevitable

This option replaces the active voice with another word that indicates something is certain to happen.

is inescapable

This alternative is similar to "inevitable" and "unavoidable" indicating something can't be escaped.

must happen

This alternative uses simpler language while keeping the core meaning of necessity.

is bound to occur

This phrase expresses a strong likelihood or certainty of happening.

is a foregone conclusion

This is an idiom which indicates that the result is obvious or certain, offering a more figurative alternative.

there's no way to prevent it

This option uses a more descriptive way to highlight that something is impossible to prevent.

is set in stone

This idiom indicates that something is unchangeable or irreversible.

is part and parcel

This idiom suggests that something is an essential and unavoidable part of something else.

is written in the stars

This is a more metaphorical way of suggesting something is predestined or inevitable.

FAQs

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

You can use "cannot be avoided" to indicate that something is inevitable or impossible to prevent. For example, "Some level of risk "cannot be avoided" in entrepreneurial ventures."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be avoided"?

Alternatives include "is unavoidable", "is inevitable", or "is inescapable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "cannot be avoided" formal or informal?

"Cannot be avoided" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider using synonyms like "is unavoidable" to add variety.

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

"Cannot be avoided" indicates something is impossible to prevent, while "should not be avoided" implies that something is beneficial or necessary to experience. The first expresses inevitability, the second expresses advisability.