cannot be characterised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be characterised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that cannot be defined or described in a specific way. Example: "The phenomenon observed in the experiment cannot be characterised by traditional scientific models."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The Mandelas cannot be characterised as a political dynasty.

The Guardian

This cannot be characterised as statutory regulation of the press, he says.

The Guardian

This is not, and cannot be characterised as, regulation of the press.

The Guardian

The direct and indirect discrimination against Aboriginal people under the intervention cannot be characterised as a "special measure".

The Guardian - Opinion

This is not – and cannot be characterised as – a battle between factions on the left and right, either within or between parties.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This cannot be characterised as ambulance-chasing lawyers, there are plenty of lawyers who believe that the highest legal standards should apply to the way the state conducts itself, and it's important that, not only is this the benchmark, but if we fall short then that's properly addressed".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Company spokesman Howard Hoffman responds by pointing out that Zannino's $173,441 commuting cost included the one-off outlay for buying a car and thus, he argues, cannot fairly be characterised as $667 per day.

The Guardian - Business

Thus, we see the methods described here as likely to be most applicable to targets that cannot easily or robustly be characterised using current prevailing method (for the reasons described earlier, see Sections 3.4 and 4.2) These methodological advances are likely to make chemical denaturant titrations more relevant to pharmaceutical research.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - General Subjects

The new approach is particularly useful for the many materials that can be characterised by mercury porosimetry or porometry, but for which tortuosity cannot be measured directly.

Chemical Engineering Science

Can a film festival be characterised as digital or analogue?

The Guardian

Economic slowdowns can often be characterised as periods of hesitation.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be characterised", ensure the context clearly indicates what prevents the characterization. Providing context enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be characterised" when a more specific reason for the lack of characterization is known. Be precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be characterised" functions as a descriptor indicating an inability to define or categorize something accurately. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be characterised" serves as a crucial linguistic tool for expressing the limitations of definition or description. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and applicable across diverse contexts. Its primary function is to convey that a subject resists easy classification due to complexity or uniqueness. While "cannot be characterised" sees significant usage in both Science and News & Media, it maintains a relatively neutral to formal register. Related alternatives include "cannot be defined" and "cannot be described", which offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts. Remember to use it precisely, avoiding overgeneralization, and ensuring the context clarifies the reason for the inability to characterize.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be defined

Focuses on the impossibility of giving a precise definition.

cannot be described

Highlights the difficulty in providing a comprehensive description.

cannot be identified

Emphasizes the inability to pinpoint or recognize something.

cannot be classified

Stresses the difficulty in assigning something to a specific category.

defies categorization

Implies that something is so unique it resists being placed into a category.

eludes definition

Suggests that something is difficult to grasp or define precisely.

is not amenable to characterization

Formally states something cannot be well described by characterization.

cannot be neatly pigeonholed

Indicates a resistance to being easily classified or labeled.

cannot be easily summarized

Highlights the complexity and the difficulty in providing a brief overview.

remains enigmatic

Indicates that something is mysterious and difficult to understand or interpret.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be characterised" when something defies simple description or categorization, as in "The data "cannot be characterised" by a single variable".

What are some alternatives to "cannot be characterised"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be defined", "cannot be described", or "cannot be classified" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "cannot be characterised" and "cannot be defined"?

"Cannot be characterised" suggests difficulty in describing essential qualities or traits, while "cannot be defined" focuses on the absence of a precise or formal definition.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "cannot be characterised"?

The phrase itself is in passive voice. Using it depends on whether you want to emphasize the subject being acted upon (passive) or the actor performing the action (active), though an active version might be cumbersome (e.g., 'we cannot characterise it').