cannot be decided

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be decided" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a particular issue or question is unresolved or cannot be determined at the moment. Example: "The outcome of the debate cannot be decided until all arguments have been presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It cannot be decided at the whim of the individual.

The Guardian - Books

But the orientation of fibers to form a spherical vessel cannot be decided just by the aspect of structural effectiveness.

Composite Technologies for 2020 Proceedings of the Fourth Asian–Australasian Conference on Composite Materials (ACCM 4)

More than 7,300 claims cannot be decided yet because they are missing information.

The Economist

There is a cost to terminating a contract; it cannot be decided by committee.

The Guardian - Sport

"This cannot be decided by 20 people on a conference call," Mr. Douglas said.

The New York Times - Health

Some decisions are so momentous that they cannot be decided by MPs alone, but need popular endorsement.

The Guardian - Opinion

Have you not realized, O mule of the Jews, that the battle cannot be decided from the air at all?

The New Yorker

What cannot be decided by dialogue over a negotiating table is often left to be decided on the battlefield or in civil conflict.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Referendums are a good way of settling important constitutional questions which, because they split political parties as well as the electorate, cannot be decided through a general election.

The Economist

But Justice Lewis F. Powell Jr., writing for the majority, said individual criminal cases cannot be decided on the basis of social science research, however sound.

The New York Times

One thing that war does teach: the rightness of a course of action cannot be decided by the authenticity of its advocates.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be decided" when indicating that a decision is genuinely impossible to make with the available information or under the current circumstances. Ensure that the context clearly indicates why a decision cannot be reached.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be decided" when the situation merely requires further investigation or discussion. The phrase implies a definitive inability to reach a conclusion, not just a current lack of one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be decided" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating the impossibility of reaching a decision or resolution. As indicated by Ludwig, it suggests that a determination is unattainable under the current circumstances. This is supported by the diverse examples available.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

32%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be decided" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys the inability to reach a decision or resolution. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears commonly in scientific, news, and academic contexts, signifying uncertainty or the lack of a definitive outcome. While alternatives like "cannot be determined" and "remains unresolved" exist, "cannot be decided" specifically emphasizes the absence of a decision-making process. Remember to avoid overstating the impossibility of decision, and use it when a determination is genuinely out of reach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be determined

This alternative focuses on the impossibility of ascertaining something, similar to the irresolvable nature implied by the original phrase.

is yet to be decided

This alternative suggests that a decision is forthcoming but has not yet occurred.

cannot be resolved

This suggests that a solution or decision is unattainable, emphasizing the lack of a clear resolution.

remains unresolved

This option emphasizes the ongoing state of being undecided or unsettled.

remains an open question

This option underlines that the issue is still under consideration and lacks a definitive answer.

is still pending

This highlights the idea that a decision is awaiting further action or information.

is not yet clear

This emphasizes the lack of clarity or certainty surrounding a particular issue.

remains to be seen

This implies that the outcome will become apparent in the future.

is up in the air

This idiom indicates that the outcome is uncertain and subject to change.

is not set in stone

This emphasizes the flexibility and potential for change in a decision or outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "cannot be decided" to indicate that a particular matter is unresolved or that a decision is impossible to make at the current time. For example: "Whether to proceed with the project "cannot be decided" until we receive more funding."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be decided"?

Some alternatives include "cannot be determined", "remains unresolved", or "is still pending", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "cannot be decided" or "cannot be determined"?

Both "cannot be decided" and "cannot be determined" are correct. "Cannot be decided" implies a lack of a decision-making process, while "cannot be determined" suggests an inability to ascertain a fact. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What does "cannot be decided" mean?

"Cannot be decided" indicates that a conclusion or resolution is unattainable, either temporarily or permanently, due to a lack of information, conflicting factors, or inherent uncertainty.