cannot be completed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be completed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a task, process, or action is unable to be finished or fulfilled. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the project cannot be completed by the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Without that trust, the long peace process cannot be completed.

The New York Times

But outside of cats, its reproductive cycle cannot be completed.

The New York Times - Science

At the top it said, "Your Transaction Cannot Be Completed".

The New York Times

"This cannot be completed overnight, but it must happen".

Independent

The part-time MS program cannot be completed solely online.

Stanford University

Bright flashes of inspiration can initiate it, but it cannot be completed that way.

The New York Times

If play cannot be completed Monday, the tournament would continue until Tuesday.

The New York Times - Sports

In the N.H.L., a pass from there cannot be completed over the center red line.

The New York Times - Sports

The urea cycle cannot be completed due lack of arginase 1 and Ornithine carbamoyl transferase29,30.

Nature

"That testing cannot be completed within the current project time scale".

The New York Times

The trade that will bring those two to Brooklyn cannot be completed until Friday.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be completed", ensure the context clearly indicates why completion is impossible. Provide specific reasons or contributing factors.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be completed" excessively in passive constructions. Active voice often makes sentences more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The project cannot be completed by the team", consider "The team cannot complete the project due to [reason]".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be completed" functions as a passive construction indicating the impossibility or inability to finish a task or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase adheres to standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

30%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be completed" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate the inability to finish a task or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard grammatical rules. Appearing frequently across various domains, including News & Media, Academia, and Science, this phrase conveys impossibility rather than intent. While alternatives like "cannot be finished" and "is impossible to complete" exist, "cannot be completed" remains a common and appropriate choice, particularly when passive voice is suitable. When using the phrase "cannot be completed", ensure the context clearly indicates why completion is impossible, and consider whether active voice would make the sentence more direct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be finished

Uses a different verb (finished) to convey the same meaning of inability to complete something.

is impossible to complete

Rephrases the sentence to explicitly state the impossibility of completion.

cannot be accomplished

Substitutes "completed" with "accomplished", emphasizing the impossibility of achieving a goal or task.

cannot be finalized

Replaces "completed" with "finalized", stressing the inability to bring something to its ultimate state.

cannot be executed

Employs "executed" instead of "completed", highlighting the infeasibility of performing or carrying out something.

is not feasible to complete

Highlights the lack of feasibility in completing the task.

cannot be realized

Replaces "completed" with "realized", underlining the impossibility of making something a reality.

is unachievable

Uses a single adjective to indicate that the task cannot be achieved or completed.

will remain unfinished

Indicates that something will not reach a finished state.

will remain undone

Conveys that something will not be done or completed.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be completed" to indicate that a task or process is unable to be finished. For example, "The project "cannot be completed" due to lack of funding".

What are some alternatives to "cannot be completed"?

Alternatives include "cannot be finished", "cannot be accomplished", or "is impossible to complete". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

While "cannot be completed" is grammatically correct, using active voice can often make your writing more direct and impactful. Consider rephrasing to use an active construction when appropriate.

What is the difference between "cannot be completed" and "will not be completed"?

"Cannot be completed" suggests an impossibility or inability to finish something, while "will not be completed" indicates a decision or intention not to finish it. The former implies a lack of capability, while the latter implies a choice.