cannot be contacted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be contacted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a person, service, or organization that is currently unavailable or unable to be reached. For example, "I have been unable to reach their customer service team; they cannot be contacted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Failure to renew registration means that the company effectively disappears from the internet and cannot be contacted via email.

The Guardian - Money

We may disqualify your Competition entry for the following reasons: your entry does not comply with these Terms and Conditions; you are not eligible to enter the Competition; or you cannot be contacted.

The Guardian

Since then, all of Finnair's numbers in Europe have been recorded messages advising passengers to check the website, and that they cannot be contacted because they are too busy.

The Guardian

We may disqualify your Competition entry for the following reasons: your entry does not comply with these Terms; you are not eligible to enter the Competition; or you cannot be contacted.

The Guardian - Books

A Defense Ministry statement said that F-16s are sent up to "establish visual contact with the crew" whenever a plane is in Dutch airspace and cannot be contacted by radio.

The New York Times

Companies have tried claiming that important executives are abroad and cannot be contacted, that the decision-making process has been upended by personnel changes or that certain papers are confidential and alas cannot be released, and so on.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

If it cannot be, contact your municipality and ask why they are not recycling some items.

WikiHow

Where participants cannot initially be contacted for follow-up assessments, attempts to contact them continue for up to 12 months post-baseline.

BMC Health Services Research

Obviously Napoli know Martin well, but there cannot be any contact between us and them if they do not first reach an agreement with Liverpool.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Blumenthal said that parole conditions for sex offenders ordinarily say that they cannot be in contact with children.

The New York Times - Tech

Furthermore, once unwinding is underway, RepD cannot be in contact with its tight-binding ICRIII site.

Biochemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be contacted" in formal writing, ensure the context is clear regarding why the person or entity cannot be reached. Providing a reason enhances clarity.

Common error

While acceptable, "cannot be contacted" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using alternatives like "can't get ahold of" or "unreachable" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be contacted" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject is unable to be reached. As supported by Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically sound phrase used across a variety of contexts. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in formal terms and conditions, scientific research, and news reports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be contacted" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate that someone or something is unreachable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts, from formal agreements to scientific research. While it is frequently used in news, media, and scientific fields, it's also suitable for formal and business contexts. Alternatives include "unable to be reached" or "unreachable", offering flexibility in tone and register. Be mindful of the context to choose the most appropriate phrasing, ensuring clarity and avoiding overuse in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to be reached

This alternative replaces "cannot" with "unable", maintaining the core meaning of the phrase but swapping out a key word.

not able to be reached

This is a more formal and passive phrasing of the original.

unreachable

This is a single-word alternative that directly conveys the impossibility of contacting someone.

cannot establish contact with

This alternative focuses on the action of establishing contact, emphasizing the failure to do so.

out of reach

This alternative uses a more metaphorical expression, suggesting someone is inaccessible.

impossible to get in touch with

This phrase is more verbose, emphasizing the difficulty in establishing contact.

unavailable for communication

This directly states that someone or something is not available for communication.

cannot get ahold of

This is a more informal, colloquial alternative.

beyond communication

This suggests that communication is impossible, perhaps due to distance or other barriers.

incommunicado

This is a more formal term indicating a state of being unable to communicate with others.

FAQs

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

You can use "cannot be contacted" to describe a situation where someone or something is unreachable. For instance, "If the winner "cannot be contacted", an alternative winner may be chosen."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be contacted"?

Alternatives include "unable to be reached", "unreachable", or "out of reach", depending on the context.

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

It's appropriate in formal writing or when emphasizing the impossibility of establishing contact. In informal contexts, consider using simpler alternatives.

Is "cannot be contacted" the same as "cannot contact"?

No. "Cannot be contacted" means someone is unreachable, while "cannot contact" implies an inability to initiate communication, possibly due to technical issues or restrictions. The passive construction "cannot be contacted" focuses on the state of being unreachable, whereas "cannot contact" emphasizes the inability to perform the action of contacting.