cannot be borrowed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be borrowed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something is not available for lending or is not permitted to be taken temporarily. Example: "This book is part of the reference collection and cannot be borrowed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Even with the revised usage limitations, games downloaded to the console cannot be borrowed or resold.

The New Yorker

It cannot be borrowed without impairment of the credit of the National Government and thus destroy that confidence upon which our whole system depends.

The New York Times

Because of the large amounts of energy needed to create the large masses of the W and Z particles, the uncertainty principle ensures that a weak gauge boson cannot be borrowed for long, which limits the range of the force to distances less than 10−17 metre.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The statement argues that, thanks to the fair-use doctrine, a library can digitise and lend a title to its members, provided it loans only the number of copies it owned before digitisation (so if a hard copy of the book is checked out, the digital copy cannot be borrowed, and vice versa).

The Guardian - Books

The bits and pieces add up to an overly arch study of craft, collaboration and the notion of choreographer as celebrity in which imagination — seemingly the only element left in contemporary dance that cannot be borrowed and reused at will — is replaced by attitude.

The New York Times - Arts

For the whole debt bill, there is still a sum of money that cannot be borrowed because it covers the expenses that maintain basic production and life order upstream.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But it is vastly larger than today's CCS capacity, and the people needed cannot just be borrowed from the current fossil-fuel industry.The nuclear industry is also bedevilled by labour-force issues, at all skill levels.

The Economist

Nuclear engineers are scarce in part because there has been little ongoing research to captivate students.The people needed cannot just be borrowed from the fossil-fuel industryAnother smart policy will be to re-examine the extent to which governments subsidise high-tech jobs in other industries, notably defence, tying up talent.

The Economist

For poverty-line heuristic [12], a PU cannot exceed a certain number of channels that can be borrowed from its neighbors even if the neighbors have idle channels.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The flat was borrowed.

The New Yorker

Unlike national budgets, the EU budget cannot be financed by borrowing and deficit spending is outlawed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be borrowed", ensure the context clearly indicates what is unavailable for borrowing and the reason behind it. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be borrowed" when a simpler phrase like "not available" suffices. Overusing the passive voice can make your writing sound convoluted. Choose the most direct and concise option.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be borrowed" functions as a restriction indicator. It specifies that something is not available for temporary use or lending. Ludwig AI indicates it as a valid and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be borrowed" is a grammatically sound and usable expression used to indicate that something is not available for temporary use. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias, it is particularly useful for explicitly stating restrictions in formal settings. Related phrases like "not available for loan" or "borrowing is prohibited" can serve as alternatives. Understanding its function as a restriction indicator ensures clear communication and prevents potential misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not available for loan

Emphasizes the unavailability of something for a temporary period.

is not permitted for borrowing

Highlights the lack of permission to take something temporarily.

is ineligible for borrowing

Indicates that something does not meet the criteria for being borrowed.

is not allowed to be borrowed

Directly states that borrowing is prohibited.

borrowing is prohibited

Focuses on the act of borrowing being forbidden.

may not be borrowed

Uses a modal verb to express that borrowing is not an option.

is restricted from borrowing

Indicates that there are limitations or constraints preventing borrowing.

is out of circulation

Suggests that something is temporarily or permanently unavailable for use, including borrowing.

is for reference only

Specifies that something is intended for on-site use and not for taking away.

is not transferable

Implies that rights or items cannot be passed on or lent to others.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "cannot be borrowed" in a simpler way?

You can use alternatives like "not available for loan", "not available", or "unavailable", depending on the context.

Is "cannot be borrowed" grammatically correct?

Yes, "cannot be borrowed" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice to indicate that something is not allowed or able to be borrowed.

What is the difference between "cannot be borrowed" and "cannot be lent"?

The phrases "cannot be borrowed" and "cannot be lent" are often used interchangeably. However, "borrowed" refers to receiving something temporarily, while "lent" refers to giving something temporarily. The distinction depends on the perspective of the speaker.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "cannot be borrowed"?

The phrase "cannot be borrowed" is appropriate in situations where you want to explicitly state that something is not available for temporary use. This is often seen in libraries, institutions, or contexts where restrictions on lending exist.