cannot be called

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be called" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when stating that something does not meet the criteria or standards to be referred to by a particular name or title. Example: "This method cannot be called effective if it does not produce consistent results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She cannot be called disillusioned.

The New Yorker

But "L'?oile" cannot be called a masterpiece.

The New York Times

It cannot be called an uprising.

The Guardian - Opinion

The policy cannot be called a disaster.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pringles cannot be called "chips" but rather "crisps".

Independent

She cannot be called anything, except perhaps an artist.

The Guardian - Arts

His style cannot be called original or especially current.

The New York Times

Taylor cannot be called a feminist in any codified sense.

The Guardian - Books

"The participants of these disturbances cannot be called peaceful.

The Guardian

At the moment, this cannot be called paranoid exaggeration.

The New Yorker

"This cannot be called an election," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be called" to express a nuanced disagreement or correction, rather than a blunt denial. For example, "While innovative, the approach "cannot be called" a complete solution to the problem."

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be called" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "isn't" or "not really" would be more appropriate. Overuse in informal settings can make your writing sound stilted or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be called" functions as a negative passive construction used to express disagreement or to correct a mischaracterization. Ludwig's examples show it often introduces a qualification or counter-argument against a prior assertion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be called" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression for disputing or qualifying a description. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a negative passive construction and appears most often in News & Media contexts. When writing, remember to use it in scenarios where a nuance is needed and to avoid overuse in informal contexts. Alternatives include "cannot be considered" and "cannot be deemed". The expression is well-regarded among experts and employed in a variety of authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be considered

Replaces "called" with "considered", focusing on judgment or evaluation.

cannot be deemed

Substitutes "called" with "deemed", suggesting a formal assessment or decision.

cannot be labeled

Uses "labeled" instead of "called", emphasizing categorization or classification.

cannot be regarded as

Employs "regarded as" in place of "called", highlighting a general opinion or viewpoint.

does not qualify as

Indicates that something fails to meet specific requirements or standards.

is not appropriate to term

Uses a more formal tone to express that a particular term is unsuitable.

should not be referred to as

Suggests that using a certain term would be inaccurate or misleading.

is not accurately described as

Focuses on the accuracy of the description, implying that it may be incorrect.

falls short of being

Indicates that something does not fully achieve a certain status or condition.

lacks the characteristics of

Highlights the absence of essential features needed to be classified in a certain way.

FAQs

What does "cannot be called" mean?

The phrase "cannot be called" signifies that something does not meet the necessary criteria or standards to be accurately described or named in a particular way. It implies a degree of inadequacy or misrepresentation if the term were used.

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

You can use "cannot be called" to express disagreement with a characterization. For example, "Although ambitious, the project "cannot be called" a success due to its many unresolved issues."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be called"?

Alternatives to "cannot be called" include "cannot be considered", "cannot be deemed", or "cannot be labeled", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "cannot be called" or "should not be called"?

Both "cannot be called" and "should not be called" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Cannot be called" implies a factual inaccuracy, while "should not be called" suggests a matter of opinion or judgment. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.