cannot be deprived

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be deprived" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing rights, privileges, or essential needs that should not be taken away from someone. Example: "Every individual has certain rights that cannot be deprived, regardless of their circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"There are people who want to work, the vast majority, and they cannot be deprived of gasoline," he said.

The New York Times

In December, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled pretty much the same thing: gay couples cannot be deprived of the legal benefits enjoyed by married heterosexuals.

The New York Times - Magazine

Descendants and other close relatives, including the surviving spouse, cannot be deprived of more than one-half of their intestate shares.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The group, joined by the Washington Legal Foundation, argued that forcing patients to wait years for a drug to go through the process of clinical trials deprived dying patients of their right to self-defense and violated the Fifth Amendment clause stating that people cannot be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.

The New York Times

HMRC argued the rule was contrary to two specific aspects of insolvency law: that all creditors must be treated equally, and that an insolvent company cannot be "deprived" of a valuable asset, in this case the share of league membership, which is transferred to a new company when football debts are settled.

The Guardian - Sport

He has acquired a right to his power and cannot be deprived, unless he lapses into tyranny; if he does, the community has a "right of war" against him.[113] The political philosophy of Suárez has resemblances with that of earlier medieval writers, notably Ockham (§4.3 above), and also with the philosophy of Grotius, Locke, and other early modern political philosophers.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Martyn Thomas and his colleagues may have presided over the turning of English rugby's governing body into an international joke, but for the life of me I cannot see why they should be deprived of their Christmas bonuses.

The Guardian - Sport

They would be deprived of electronic distractions.

The Economist

Will we be deprived of certain services?

The New York Times

While the IMD score can be used to identify the most and least deprived areas in England and to compare the levels of deprivation between areas it cannot identify individuals who are deprived and individuals who are not.

BMC Health Services Research

The fact that civil servants are agents of the public power, providing services on which law, order, and public health depend, has raised the question whether they should be permitted to strike; if they cannot lawfully strike, they are deprived of the main weapon in pressing for improvements in their conditions of service.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be deprived", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being protected from deprivation, such as rights, freedoms, or essential resources.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be deprived" in contexts where a temporary or justifiable withholding is implied. The phrase suggests a fundamental right or essential element that should never be taken away permanently or without due cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be deprived" functions as a modal passive construction. It indicates that something or someone is protected from having something taken away. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be deprived" is a grammatically sound construction used to assert the inviolability of something, such as rights, freedoms, or essential resources. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While it's most frequently found in News & Media, it also appears in Science and Encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about what is protected from deprivation and avoid contexts where a temporary or justifiable withholding is implied. Alternatives like "cannot be denied" or "cannot be taken away" offer similar meanings, but the specific context should dictate the most appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be denied

Replaces "deprived" with "denied", focusing on the act of refusing something.

cannot be taken away

Substitutes "deprived" with "taken away", emphasizing the removal of something.

must not be denied

Uses "must not" to create a stronger sense of obligation and prohibition.

should not be deprived

Replaces "cannot" with "should not", softening the tone to a recommendation.

cannot be relinquished

Changes the verb to "relinquished", focusing on the act of giving something up willingly.

cannot be forfeited

Uses "forfeited" to emphasize a loss due to a rule or consequence.

is not subject to deprivation

Employs a more formal structure using "is not subject to deprivation".

must be preserved

Shifts the focus to preservation, implying that something should not be lost or taken away.

cannot be infringed

Uses infringed to refer to a violation or breach of a right or law.

cannot be rescinded

Substitutes "deprived" with "rescinded" indicating something is revoked or cancelled.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be deprived" when you want to emphasize that someone or something should not have a fundamental right, resource, or freedom taken away. For example: "Citizens "cannot be deprived" of their right to free speech."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be deprived"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be denied", "cannot be taken away", or "must not be denied" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "cannot be deprived" or "should not be deprived"?

"Cannot be deprived" suggests an absolute prohibition, while "should not be deprived" implies a recommendation or moral obligation. Choose the phrase that best reflects the strength of the prohibition you wish to convey.

What does "cannot be deprived of due process" mean?

It means that individuals have a legal right to fair treatment and procedures before the government can take away their life, liberty, or property. This right cannot be taken away without due process of law.