cannot be consulted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be consulted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is not available for reference or discussion. Example: "The document is confidential and cannot be consulted by anyone outside the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But indigenous people living in what Peru's legislation calls "voluntary isolation" cannot be consulted about their territories.

The Guardian

The branch bearer cannot be consulted either as they must make the 1,000 km return journey to Mandela's rural home in Eastern Cape without speaking to anyone, lest they disturb the spirit in its metaphysical carrying case.

The Guardian

He is also always aware that the biographer's position, which necessarily involves judgments about the subject's character and the choices she made, is profoundly unjust, for the simple reason that the subject herself cannot be consulted.

The New Yorker

and therefore cannot be consulted.

Evolutionary Applications

Whenever a healthcare provider cannot be consulted at the onset of these symptoms, treatment should be stopped immediately.

European Respiratory Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Subpart A refers to the requirement that a child must assent to be included in an experiment (although this was apparently not necessary "if the capability of some or all of the children is so limited that they cannot reasonably be consulted"), while paragraph (b) refers to soliciting permission from parents or guardians.

Environmental Health Perspectives

66 Differences in coding between the two reviewers will be resolved by discussion and a third reviewer will be consulted if an agreement cannot be reached.

BMJ Open

Disagreements will be resolved through consensus and if consensus cannot be reached, the research team leads will be consulted to determine final decision.

BMJ Open

A third review author will be consulted in cases in which consensus cannot be reached.

BMJ Open

The union chairman is typically tied to the government and the Communist Party, must be consulted on critical issues and, in effect, cannot be fired.

The Economist

If disagreements cannot be resolved by consensus or if insufficient information is available, a third reviewer and/or the full papers should be consulted.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be consulted", ensure the context clearly explains why the consultation is impossible or prohibited. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the reason for the unavailability.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "cannot be consulted" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "can't be asked" or "not available" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be consulted" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone or something is unavailable to provide advice, input, or guidance. It is frequently found in contexts where restrictions or limitations exist.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be consulted" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to express the unavailability of someone or something for advice or input. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is appropriate for formal or neutral registers, commonly appearing in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly explains the reason for unavailability to avoid ambiguity. More informal situations may benefit from simpler alternatives. While only a few examples were found, the phrase is correctly used and easily understood in various settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not available for consultation

Replaces "cannot" with "is not available" for a more formal tone.

is unable to be conferred with

Substitutes "consulted" with "conferred with" which sounds slightly more formal.

cannot be conferred with

Uses 'conferred with' in place of 'consulted'.

is excluded from discussions

Focuses on the exclusion from discussions rather than the inability to consult.

is not to be asked for input

Emphasizes the lack of permission to seek input.

is prohibited from advising

Highlights a prohibition on providing advice.

cannot provide guidance

Focuses on the inability to offer guidance.

is out of reach for advice

Highlights the unavailability for giving any advice.

is unapproachable for recommendations

Highlights the unavailability for giving recommendations.

is unavailable for counsel

Replaces "consulted" with the more formal "counsel".

FAQs

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

You can use "cannot be consulted" to indicate that someone or something is unavailable for advice or input. For example: "Due to the sensitive nature of the information, the employee "cannot be consulted" on this matter."

What does "cannot be consulted" mean?

"Cannot be consulted" means that someone or something is not available to provide advice, guidance, or information. It suggests a restriction or inability to seek their input.

Which is correct: "cannot be consulted" or "can't be consulted"?

Both "cannot be consulted" and "can't be consulted" are grammatically correct. "Cannot" is more formal, while "can't" is a contraction and more appropriate for informal contexts. The choice depends on the desired tone.

What are some alternatives to "cannot be consulted"?

Some alternatives to "cannot be consulted" include "is not available for consultation", "cannot be conferred with", or "is excluded from discussions", depending on the specific context.