cannot be complemented

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be complemented" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is unable to receive or take on additional elements or enhancements. Example: "This software feature cannot be complemented by any additional plugins."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

However, RVF-VLPs that lack RdRp, or express a catalytically inactive RdRp, cannot be complemented in trans.

Plosone

1) Demonstrate antibody specificity: As the rtls mutation cannot be complemented, the specificity of the Rtls antibody is fundamental to the arguments of this paper.

eLife

Finally, the repair defect of Artemis-deficient cells cannot be complemented with an endonuclease-deficient Artemis construct, providing direct evidence that Artemis promotes HR as an endonuclease.

EMBO Journal

We found that the daysleeper phenotype cannot be complemented by these constructs, although we were able to restore the wild-type phenotype with GFP DAYSLEEPER constructs.

BMC Plant Biology

Compartmentalization of replication complexes likely accounts for the observation that many functions of nonstructural proteins cannot be complemented in trans (Novak and Kirkegaard, 1994; Ansardi et al., 1996).

eLife

This is a further demonstration that BoHV-4 gB is essential and cannot be complemented by a heterologous protein such as VSVg.

BMC Veterinary Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Of note, studies on the regulation of the human MMP-1 gene cannot readily be complemented by studies in mice (or rats), because rodents do not have a valid ortholog of this gene (Brinckerhoff and Matrisian 2002).

Environmental Health Perspectives

It follows that our preliminary quantitative work needs to be complemented by a further qualitative study to look into the complexity that quantitative data cannot unravel.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Since simulations cannot predict the effect of such mixtures on the transcription of the AOX gene promoter, these findings must be complemented with experimental work.

BMC Systems Biology

"They must be complemented with other reforms".

The New York Times

Clearly, from a one-time-a-year intervention in the scope of the Special Olympics events, improvements cannot be expected unless they are complemented with other interventions of oral health promotion and education of athletes, family and caregivers.

BMC Oral Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be complemented", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking or incomplete. Avoid vague statements by specifying the missing element or function.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be complemented" when a simpler term like "cannot be improved" or "is already complete" would suffice. Redundancy weakens your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be complemented" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that something is already complete or optimized to the point where additions or modifications are ineffective or impossible. Ludwig shows it describes inherent limitations or characteristics that prevent supplementation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

71%

News & Media

21%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be complemented" effectively conveys the idea that something is inherently complete or optimized, and further additions would be ineffective. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and most commonly found in scientific contexts, with some usage in news and business. When writing, ensure that the intended meaning is clear and that a simpler alternative doesn't suffice. The related phrases, such as "cannot be supplemented" or "cannot be enhanced", offer alternative ways to express this idea, adjusting the nuance depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be supplemented

Focuses on the inability to add something extra to improve or complete the original.

cannot be enhanced

Highlights the impossibility of improving the quality or value of something.

cannot be augmented

Emphasizes the lack of possibility to increase the size, amount, or degree of something.

cannot be completed

Stresses the inability to bring something to a finished state.

cannot be fulfilled

Focuses on the impossibility of satisfying a requirement or condition.

cannot be enriched

Highlights the impossibility of making something fuller or more meaningful.

cannot be perfected

Emphasizes the inability to make something entirely free from faults or defects.

cannot be matched

Focuses on the impossibility of finding an equivalent or similar item.

cannot be paralleled

Stresses the inability to find something similar or comparable.

cannot be rivaled

Highlights the impossibility of competing with or surpassing something.

FAQs

What does "cannot be complemented" mean?

The phrase "cannot be complemented" means that something cannot be enhanced, improved, or completed by adding something else. It implies that the thing in question is either already complete, fundamentally incompatible with further additions, or that the attempted additions are ineffective.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be complemented"?

Use "cannot be complemented" when you want to emphasize that adding something more will not improve or complete the existing thing. It's suitable in situations where further additions are irrelevant, redundant, or ineffective. For example, you might say "This design "cannot be complemented" by additional features because it is already optimized for its purpose".

What are some alternatives to "cannot be complemented"?

Alternatives to "cannot be complemented" include phrases like "cannot be supplemented", "cannot be enhanced", or "cannot be improved". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How does "cannot be complemented" differ from "cannot be completed"?

"Cannot be completed" indicates that something is unfinished and needs to be brought to a finished state. "Cannot be complemented", on the other hand, suggests that while something might be complete in itself, it "cannot be supplemented" or enhanced by adding anything further, even if it is already fully functional as is.