cannot be contracted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be contracted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something cannot be shortened or made more concise, often in reference to language or agreements. Example: "In this legal document, the terms cannot be contracted without mutual consent from both parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Given any path from vertex V r to vertex V s we can form a sequence of contractions resulting in a unique path that cannot be contracted further.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

It cannot be contracted through drinking water.

The Guardian

"Our basic charter," he went on, "cannot be contracted away like this".

The New York Times - Magazine

When the state deprives people of their liberty, essential services cannot be contracted or outsourced.

The New York Times

"I would like to reassure the public that household water supplies are safe and that Legionnaires' disease cannot be contracted by drinking water," he said.

The Guardian

Duncan McCormick, consultant in public health medicine and chair of the incident management board, said: "I would like to reassure the public that household water supplies are safe and that Legionnaires' disease cannot be contracted by drinking water.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

H7N9 bird flu is considered a low pathogenic strain that cannot easily be contracted by humans.

The Guardian

"I believe AIDS cannot only be contracted through [sex].

HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care

While the muscles are contracted the patella cannot return to the correct position.

Wikipedia

Ms. Smithson, who is one of the finalists, and Kady Malloy, who was eliminated last week and who also had produced an album, were within the rules, which state that a contestant cannot be under contract with a record company or a talent manager at the time they audition.

The New York Times - Arts

In each case, the player acquired cannot be under contract beyond the current season.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be contracted" in legal or formal documents, ensure that the context clearly defines what "contracted" refers to—whether it's terms, agreements, or physical spaces.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be contracted" when you mean "cannot be cancelled" or "cannot be broken". "Contracted" typically refers to shortening or reducing, not terminating an agreement. For instance, use "the agreement cannot be cancelled" instead of "the agreement cannot be contracted" if you wish to highlight that the agreement is unbreakable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be contracted" functions as a modal phrase expressing impossibility or prohibition. It indicates that something is not allowed or able to be reduced, shortened, or made more concise. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be contracted" is a modal phrase used to express the impossibility of shortening or reducing something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, predominantly in news media, science, and formal settings. It's important to use it accurately to avoid confusion with related concepts like cancellation or termination. While alternatives like "cannot be shortened" or "cannot be abbreviated" exist, the best choice depends on the specific context. By understanding its nuances and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively use "cannot be contracted" to convey precise meaning in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be shortened

Focuses specifically on reducing the length of something.

cannot be abbreviated

Implies that a term or phrase cannot be made shorter using abbreviations.

cannot be reduced

Highlights the inability to lessen something in size or scope.

cannot be made smaller

Emphasizes the physical limitation of reducing dimensions.

cannot be condensed

Refers to the inability to compress or concentrate information.

cannot be minimized

Focuses on the impossibility of decreasing something to its smallest form.

cannot be lessened

Highlights the inability to diminish the intensity or effect of something.

cannot be diminished

Similar to lessened, but often used for abstract concepts like power or influence.

cannot be truncated

Implies something cannot be cut off or shortened at the end.

cannot be compressed

Refers to the inability to reduce the space something occupies.

FAQs

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

You can use "cannot be contracted" to indicate that something cannot be shortened or reduced. For example, "In this legal document, the terms "cannot be contracted" without mutual consent from both parties."

What can I say instead of "cannot be contracted"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be shortened", "cannot be abbreviated", or "cannot be reduced" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cannot be contracted" or "cannot contract"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct but have different meanings. "Cannot contract" means to lack the ability to enter into an agreement, while ""cannot be contracted"" means something cannot be shortened or reduced.

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

It is appropriate to use ""cannot be contracted"" when discussing legal terms, physical spaces, or other entities that you wish to emphasize are not able to be made smaller or more concise in any way.