cannot be counterbalanced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be counterbalanced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express that something cannot be offset or compensated for by another factor. Example: "In this experiment, the effects of the variable cannot be counterbalanced by any other means."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Yet the terrible derelictions of the past cannot be counterbalanced by over-zealousness in the present.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the same time, plant extracts can also act as chemotherapeutic agents by increasing H2O2 in rapidly dividing cancer cells to levels that cannot be counterbalanced by the cellular antioxidant systems, producing apoptotic cell death [ 6].

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

However, it cannot be ruled out that in Prometheus such vasodilators are cleared to a similar extent but possible beneficial hemodynamic effects are counterbalanced by a blood pressure drop due to the larger extracorporeal volume.

Critical Care

(The heaviest clappers are counterbalanced).

Encyclopedia Britannica

But it was counterbalanced by human interaction, and that counterbalance was essential.

The Guardian - Opinion

Task order was counterbalanced.

Appetite

Misleading, neutral, and consistent sentences were counterbalanced.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Context order was counterbalanced across subjects.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Across items, congruency was counterbalanced across participants.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

The order of blocks was counterbalanced.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Key locations were counterbalanced across participants.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be counterbalanced", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being balanced and what factors prevent that balance. Specify the elements involved to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences where "counterbalance" is used in an active voice when a passive construction is more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "Nothing can counterbalance the damage", prefer "The damage cannot be counterbalanced by anything."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be counterbalanced" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating an inability to offset or neutralize something. It suggests that despite potential opposing forces or factors, a particular effect remains unchanged or unmitigated. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be counterbalanced" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, primarily found in scientific and news contexts. According to Ludwig, it indicates an inability to offset or neutralize an effect, emphasizing the severity or permanence of a situation. Related phrases include "cannot be offset" and "cannot be negated". When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the elements involved in the balancing act. Although the phrase is correct and applicable in formal writing, Ludwig suggests that it is relatively rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be offset

Replaces "counterbalanced" with "offset", focusing on neutralizing an effect.

cannot be negated

Uses "negated" to convey the inability to nullify or invalidate something.

cannot be neutralized

Emphasizes the impossibility of making something ineffective or harmless.

cannot be compensated

Focuses on the inability to make amends or provide an equivalent.

cannot be remedied

Highlights the impossibility of fixing or correcting a problem.

cannot be rectified

Similar to remedied, stressing the inability to set something right.

cannot be balanced out

Uses a more conversational tone, emphasizing the lack of equilibrium.

cannot be undone

Focuses on the irreversibility of an action or effect.

cannot be mitigated

Highlights the inability to lessen the severity or impact of something.

cannot be alleviated

Stresses the impossibility of relieving or reducing suffering or difficulty.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be counterbalanced" to indicate that something's effects are so significant that they cannot be offset or negated. For example, "The negative impact of the policy cannot be counterbalanced by its minor benefits."

What's a simpler way to say "cannot be counterbalanced"?

You could use phrases like "cannot be offset", "cannot be negated", or "cannot be remedied" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "cannot be compensated" and "cannot be counterbalanced"?

"Cannot be compensated" implies that something cannot be made up for, often financially or materially. "Cannot be counterbalanced" suggests an inability to offset an effect by introducing an opposing force or factor.

Is it correct to use "cannot be counterbalanced by" or "cannot be counterbalanced with"?

Both "cannot be counterbalanced by" and "cannot be counterbalanced with" are grammatically correct, but "by" is more common when referring to an action or influence, while "with" might be used when referring to a tangible item or ingredient.