cannot be complied with

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "cannot be complied with" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something cannot be done or observed, for example: "The terms and conditions of the contract cannot be complied with."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"A statute that cannot be complied with is worse than no statute at all," a bar committee headed by Alan D. Lurie of New Rochelle wrote in its report.

The New York Times

When paragraph (2) cannot be complied with because of the absence or disability of the Deputy Judge Advocate General, the heads of the major divisions of the Office of the Judge Advocate General, in the order directed by the Secretary of the Air Force, shall perform the duties of the Judge Advocate General, unless otherwise directed by the President.

Cornell University

When subsection (d) cannot be complied with because of the absence or disability of the Deputy Judge Advocate General, the Assistant Judge Advocates General, in the order directed by the Secretary of the Navy, shall perform the duties of the Judge Advocate General. 5 U.S.C. 444 (less last 19 words).

Cornell University

For example, requests from elderly people who are tired of life and for whom life has lost all meaning, but who do not suffer from any serious illnesses, cannot be complied with under the present framework.

Bioethics

That again makes it clear that it is pointless to adopt legislation which, in practise, cannot be complied with by Member States.

European Parliament

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

If the law purports to require actions that no-one should ever do, it cannot rightly be complied with; one's moral obligation is not to obey but to disobey: ST I-II q. 96 a. 4.

SEP

Voluntary agreements won't be complied with.

Los Angeles Times

This has been complied with.

The Times

The admixture doses were complied with local standard.

Construction and Building Materials

All football rules were complied with.

BBC

Data protection laws were complied with.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be complied with", ensure the context clearly defines what is impossible to comply with. Specify the rules, regulations, or requests that are unachievable for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be complied with" in situations where a more direct and active voice would be clearer. For example, instead of "The rules cannot be complied with by the employees", consider "The employees cannot comply with the rules".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be complied with" functions as a passive construction indicating the impossibility of adhering to a rule, law, or request. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The examples show its use in formal contexts, such as legal and regulatory discussions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Academia

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

24%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be complied with" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the impossibility of adhering to a rule, law, or request. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Although its frequency is rare, it appears in formal and scientific contexts, particularly in legal and academic writing. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly specify what "cannot be complied with" and ensure the context warrants a formal tone. Alternatives such as "cannot be adhered to" or "impossible to comply with" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance desired. Common errors include using overly passive constructions when a more direct voice would improve clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be adhered to

Focuses on the inability to stick to or follow something, like rules or guidelines.

cannot be obeyed

Emphasizes the impossibility of following a command or order.

cannot be fulfilled

Highlights the inability to meet a requirement or obligation.

cannot be met

Similar to 'fulfilled', but often refers to conditions or expectations.

is impossible to comply with

Rephrases the original with an explicit subject and verb, emphasizing impossibility.

is unachievable

Shifts the focus to the outcome, stating that something is not attainable.

is unenforceable

Highlights the inability to make something be complied with.

is unworkable

Suggests that something is not practical or feasible to implement.

is beyond compliance

Indicates that something exceeds the scope or possibility of being compliant.

is not feasible

Emphasizes that something is not practically possible or convenient.

FAQs

How do I use "cannot be complied with" in a sentence?

Use "cannot be complied with" to indicate that something is impossible to adhere to or follow. For example, "The new regulations "cannot be complied with" due to resource constraints".

What are some alternatives to "cannot be complied with"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be adhered to", "impossible to comply with", or "is unenforceable" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "cannot be complied with" and "cannot be enforced"?

"Cannot be complied with" implies an inability to follow or adhere to something, while "cannot be enforced" suggests that a rule or law exists but lacks the means to ensure compliance. A rule that "cannot be complied with" might be poorly written, whereas a rule that "cannot be enforced" might lack proper oversight.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be complied with" in formal writing?

It's appropriate in formal writing to express that a mandate, rule, or law presents insurmountable challenges. It's often used in legal, regulatory, and academic contexts where precision is important.