cannot be bought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be bought" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate something that is not for sale or that money cannot buy. For example: "Happiness cannot be bought; it must come from within."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They cannot be bought".

The New York Times - Arts

Acceptance, however, cannot be bought.

The Economist

Cozy cannot be bought.

The New York Times

They cannot be bought, players say.

The New York Times - Sports

Fanatics cannot be bought off.

The New York Times

It cannot be bought legally.

The Guardian - Sport

But your child's happiness cannot be bought".

The New York Times

It cannot be bought with our wealth.

The New York Times

Often such access cannot be bought.

The New York Times - Tech

"They cannot be bought by Beijing".

The New York Times

Both gifts that cannot be bought.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be bought" to emphasize the intrinsic value of something, especially when contrasting it with material possessions or financial transactions. For example, "Loyalty cannot be bought; it must be earned."

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be bought" when describing something that is simply expensive or rare. The phrase is best reserved for qualities or experiences that inherently transcend monetary value, not merely those with a high price tag.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be bought" functions as a predicate in sentences, expressing the inability to acquire something through purchase. Ludwig AI indicates its common usage, particularly in highlighting intrinsic values that are beyond monetary worth, evident in examples like 'Happiness cannot be bought'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be bought" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote that something is not obtainable through monetary means. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly employed across varied contexts, especially in News & Media. Its key function is to emphasize intrinsic values that money cannot acquire, such as love or integrity. While versatile, it's important to reserve its use for aspects that genuinely transcend financial metrics, rather than simply signifying high cost.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

money can't buy

A common and direct way of saying something is not achievable with money.

is not for sale

Emphasizes that something is not available for purchase.

is priceless

Highlights the immense value, suggesting it exceeds any monetary worth.

is beyond monetary value

Directly states that the value cannot be measured in money.

is unattainable through purchase

Focuses on the inability to obtain something through buying.

cannot be acquired through wealth

Emphasizes that riches are insufficient to gain possession.

is not commodifiable

Indicates that something cannot be treated as a tradeable product.

lies beyond financial reach

Suggests something is too valuable to be obtained with funds.

is not up for grabs

Signifies it's unavailable and not able to be obtained, bought or bartered.

is irremunerable

States that no amount of payment can compensate for it.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be bought" to describe something that is impossible to obtain with money, such as happiness, love, or integrity. For instance, "True friendship "cannot be bought"".

What are some alternatives to saying "cannot be bought"?

Alternatives include "is priceless", "is not for sale", or "is beyond monetary value", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "cannot be bought"?

It's appropriate when referring to abstract concepts, moral values, or genuine emotions that are not for sale. It's not suitable when referring to something that has a high price but is still, in principle, obtainable with money.

Which is more accurate: "cannot be bought" or "cannot be purchased"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "cannot be bought" is more commonly used in contexts where intangible values or qualities are discussed, whereas "cannot be purchased" might be used for items that are legally restricted or unavailable.