cannot be be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be be" is not correct in English due to the repetition of "be." It cannot be used in written English as it stands, as it is a grammatical error.
Example: "This situation cannot be resolved."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

We cannot be be sure of how the offer was couched to the players by Majeed.

The Guardian

The development and climate agendas are mutually reinforcing and one cannot be be achieved without the other," he says.

The Guardian

The search for a disposal site concerns the most highly active 10%, which cannot be be reused or managed at the surface.

The Guardian

The pursuit of those responsible for the killing of Mr Hariri cannot be be allowed to falter, but regime change should not ride on the back of judicial process.

The Guardian

UKIP said this has shown how mainstream parties cannot be be trusted.

BBC

Dental restorations are registered in each case where the reason for their presence cannot be be assumed to be other than a carious defect.

BMC Oral Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

What it cannot be is coherent.

The New Yorker

But the one thing it cannot be is not zero.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What we cannot be is fearful of the consequences of another defeat today.

The Guardian - Sport

What simply cannot be is that after it became so clear how badly it was handled there be no consequences".

The New York Times

Another thing a book cannot be is a full set of encyclopedias.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using repetitive words like "be be" immediately after auxiliary verbs such as "cannot". Always proofread your writing to catch such errors.

Common error

Be mindful of verb repetition, especially when using auxiliary verbs. Ensure that the sentence structure doesn't unintentionally include the same verb twice, creating grammatical errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be be" functions as an erroneous attempt to express impossibility or prohibition. Due to the repetition of "be", it fails to adhere to standard English grammar rules. As Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is not grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be be" is grammatically incorrect due to the redundant repetition of the verb "be". As Ludwig AI points out, this construction is not standard English and should be avoided. While it appears in a few sources, primarily in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia", its incorrectness undermines its usability. Instead, it's advisable to use alternatives such as "cannot be", "cannot exist", or "is not possible" to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy. Always proofread your writing to avoid such errors and ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be

Removes the duplicated 'be', correcting the grammar.

cannot exist

Replaces the phrase with a more appropriate verb.

cannot occur

Substitutes the phrase with a different verb, maintaining a similar meaning.

is not possible

Offers a structurally different way to express impossibility.

cannot happen

Replaces the phrase with a different verb.

is unachievable

Uses an adjective to express impossibility.

is unattainable

Similar to 'unachievable', using an adjective to convey impossibility.

cannot be allowed

Expresses prohibition rather than impossibility.

must not be

Indicates prohibition or something that should not happen.

should not be

Suggests that something is not advisable or recommended.

FAQs

Why is "cannot be be" grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "cannot be be" is incorrect because it contains a redundant repetition of the verb "be". The auxiliary verb "be" is unnecessary after the initial "be" following "cannot".

What can I say instead of "cannot be be"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be", "cannot exist", or "is not possible" depending on the intended meaning.

Is there any context where "cannot be be" would be acceptable?

No, "cannot be be" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It should always be corrected to avoid redundancy.

How can I avoid making mistakes like using "cannot be be"?

Proofreading your writing carefully and paying attention to verb usage can help you avoid such errors. Consider using grammar checking tools to identify and correct grammatical mistakes.