cannot be carried out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be carried out" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that an action or task is not feasible or possible to complete. Example: "Due to budget constraints, the proposed project cannot be carried out at this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such a shift cannot be carried out by force alone.

The New York Times

However, experiments cannot be carried out in isolation.

Geomorphology

This simple act just cannot be carried out easily and reliably with today's computers.

MIT Technology Review

Under Indonesian law executions cannot be carried out while a clemency appeal is still pending.

The Guardian

"Elections cannot be carried out with tanks in every street," he told reporters.

The New York Times

Consolidation cannot be carried out solely on the backs of the people".

The New York Times

Such a doctrine, he insisted, cannot be carried out in details.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unfortunately, it has become clear that the partition plan cannot be carried out at this time by peaceful means.

Yale University

If travel is involved, state your destination and why the proposed research cannot be carried out in the Bay Area.

University of California, Berkeley

It also came from realising that democratic governance cannot be carried out by any group, left unmonitored and unaccountable.

The Guardian

These responsibilities cannot be carried out fully without direct access to the material that is in the report.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be carried out", ensure the reason for the impossibility is clear from the context. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be carried out by itself" without specifying what is being carried out. Always include the subject or context to make the sentence meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be carried out" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a specific action or task is impossible to perform or complete. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is both grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

59%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be carried out" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase that conveys the impossibility of performing an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility extends across multiple contexts, including news, science, and academia. When employing this phrase, ensure that the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider replacing it with alternatives like "cannot be performed" or "is not feasible" to match the specific tone and context of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be performed

Replaces "carried out" with the synonym "performed", maintaining a similar passive voice construction.

cannot be executed

Uses "executed" as a more formal synonym for "carried out", suggesting a planned action that is impossible to complete.

cannot be implemented

Emphasizes the inability to put a plan or decision into effect.

is not feasible

Shifts the focus to the practicality of an action, indicating that it is not realistically possible.

is not viable

Indicates that something is not capable of working successfully or surviving.

is impossible to do

Uses a more direct and less formal expression to convey the inability to perform an action.

cannot happen

Simplifies the expression to indicate that an event or action is not possible.

is out of the question

Implies that something is completely unacceptable or not worth considering.

is not an option

Suggests that something is not a choice or possibility due to constraints or circumstances.

is unachievable

Highlights the inability to reach a desired outcome or goal.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot be carried out" in a sentence?

You can use "cannot be carried out" to indicate that a plan, action, or task is not possible to complete. For example: "The experiment "cannot be carried out" due to lack of funding".

What are some alternatives to "cannot be carried out"?

Alternatives include "cannot be performed", "is not feasible", or "is impossible to do", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "cannot be carried out" or "can't be carried out"?

"Cannot be carried out" and "can't be carried out" are both grammatically correct. The former is more formal, while the latter is a contraction and more suitable for informal contexts.

What does "cannot be carried out" imply?

It implies that an action or task is impossible to perform, often due to specific constraints or limitations. These limitations could be related to resources, laws, regulations, or physical impossibilities.