cannot be collected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be collected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is unable to be gathered or obtained, such as data, information, or physical items. Example: "Due to the storm, the data from the sensors cannot be collected until the weather improves."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Observational data at various stages cannot be collected simultaneously.

Journal of Hydrology

The catch is that the money cannot be collected any sooner than age 45.

The New York Times - Sports

§ 370.45 What is the status of a security if the remittance cannot be collected?

Cornell University

After three years, the money cannot be collected without an employee's consent.

The New York Times

"There's never been a guideline for scholars about what can be collected and what cannot be collected," Ms. Gao said.

The New York Times

A variety of ecological applications require data from broad spatial extents that cannot be collected using field-based methods.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

Because of time, cost, and other considerations, data often cannot be collected from every element of the population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"After accounts have matured, you start to get a spike in charge-offs," she said, using the industry term for accounts that cannot be collected.

The New York Times

In cases in which fines cannot be collected and to pay administrative costs, the rental agencies must pay the city a 30-cent surcharge on each vehicle.

The New York Times

We designed, built, and tested a stereo camera for its potential to augment survey assessments of pelagic fish biomass in areas where trawl net samples cannot be collected.

Fisheries Research

Additionally, a new centrifugal purification method was also developed to gather the non-ferromagnetic Mo- and Cu-CEM nanoparticles, which cannot be collected by a strong magnetic field.

Diamond and Related Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about data or information, use "cannot be collected" to clearly indicate situations where gathering such data is unfeasible due to technical, ethical, or logistical constraints.

Common error

Avoid replacing passive constructions with awkward active voice. Instead of "We cannot collect the data", consider whether passive "The data "cannot be collected"" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be collected" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating an action that is impossible or unfeasible to perform. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be collected" is a grammatically correct and widely used passive construction to indicate the impossibility of gathering or obtaining something. As per Ludwig AI, its validity is well-established. It is frequently used in scientific and news contexts, with a neutral to formal register. For alternative phrasing, consider "cannot be obtained" or "is impossible to collect". When writing, ensure that the passive voice is appropriate and avoid awkward active voice constructions. This analysis provides a thorough understanding of the phrase's usage, context, and alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be obtained

Focuses on the inability to get something, emphasizing the act of acquiring.

cannot be retrieved

Highlights the impossibility of recovering something that was previously available.

cannot be gathered

Emphasizes the inability to bring things together from different places.

is impossible to collect

Directly states the impossibility of the action.

cannot be accessed

Focuses on the inability to gain entry or use of something.

cannot be secured

Highlights the inability to make something safe or protected for collection.

cannot be harvested

Emphasizes the infeasibility of gathering a yield or crop.

is uncollectible

Highlights the inherent property of not being able to be collected.

cannot be compiled

Focuses on the inability to assemble information or data into a coherent form.

cannot be accumulated

Emphasizes the inability to gather or amass something over time.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be collected" to describe scenarios where something is impossible or unfeasible to gather. For example, "Due to privacy restrictions, personal data "cannot be collected" without explicit consent."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be collected"?

Alternatives include "cannot be obtained", "cannot be retrieved", or "is impossible to collect", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "cannot be collected" or "can't be collected"?

"Cannot be collected" is more formal and suitable for academic or professional writing, while "can't be collected" is a contraction and more appropriate for informal contexts.

When should I use "cannot be collected" versus "cannot collect"?

"Cannot be collected" (passive voice) emphasizes that something is inherently uncollectible. "Cannot collect" (active voice) emphasizes the inability of an actor to perform the collection. Choose based on whether the action or the object is the focus.