cannot be distributed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be distributed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is not allowed to be shared or disseminated, such as information, materials, or resources. Example: "Due to confidentiality agreements, this document cannot be distributed to anyone outside the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Beauty products and pharmaceuticals cannot be distributed across the Internet.

The Economist

Other publishers, too, have privately admitted to destroying political books that cannot be distributed and sold.

The Guardian - Books

DO THE PAPERWORK Money in I.R.A.'s cannot be distributed by a will.

The New York Times

Do to Copyright and other requirements, some resources cannot be distributed.

Harvard University

Genetic samples and their derivatives cannot be distributed to other researchers without MCZ permission.

Harvard University

Extracts or original tissue cannot be distributed to other researchers without MCZ permission.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Apart from this there is the question, which already arises in many countries and is bound to arise in others, of developing necessary facilities for the manufacture of fish meal and oils, and for the processing of fish that cannot conveniently be distributed in a fresh condition to the consumer.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

While the arguments made in this context tend to be tied to particular cases of group-based harm, they are for the most part designed either to establish general criteria for distributing collective responsibility among group members or to demonstrate that collective responsibility cannot in the end be distributed at all.

SEP

Aligned nanoclay particles can be distributed randomly in a polymer matrix even at high volume fractions, but randomly oriented particles cannot be randomly distributed at high volume fractions.

Polymer

Mohammad Yousef, a Kabul store owner, wondered why a government that cannot oversee its own affairs would be distributing aid to others.

Vice

Because the computational overhead of using DREAM-MCP is 11.5% for the case when computation can be evenly distributed, and 9.3% for the case when it cannot be evenly distributed, extra energy for static power consumption is also 11.5% and 9.3% of the total static energy required by the computation respectively.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be distributed" in legal or formal writing, ensure that the reason for the restriction is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming the audience understands the exact scope of the restriction implied by "cannot be distributed". Always clarify what specifically is not allowed to be distributed and to whom.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be distributed" functions as a passive construction indicating a prohibition or restriction. As shown by Ludwig, its primary grammatical function is to express that something is not permitted to be shared or disseminated.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be distributed" effectively conveys a restriction or prohibition against sharing something. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, including academia, news, and science. To ensure clarity, it is recommended to specify the reason for the restriction and the scope of what is not allowed to be distributed. Alternatives like "may not be disseminated" or "is prohibited from distribution" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone and formality. Overall, understanding its implications ensures effective communication and compliance with established guidelines or regulations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may not be disseminated

Replaces "cannot" with "may not", offering a slightly more formal tone, and uses "disseminated" instead of "distributed" for a more professional feel.

is prohibited from distribution

Uses a passive construction with "prohibited" to emphasize the ban on distributing something.

is not allowed to be circulated

Replaces "distributed" with "circulated", indicating a prohibition against sharing or spreading something.

must not be shared

Uses "must not" for a stronger prohibition and "shared" as a simpler alternative to "distributed".

is restricted from being spread

Emphasizes the limitation on spreading information or items using "restricted" instead of "cannot".

is not permitted to be passed around

Uses "not permitted" to indicate the lack of authorization and "passed around" as an informal alternative.

is unable to be transferred

Focuses on the inability to transfer something from one party to another, using "unable" to replace "cannot".

is forbidden to be released

Highlights a strong interdiction using "forbidden", typically referring to information or content.

is not authorized for dissemination

Specifies that the dissemination lacks proper approval, suggesting a formal restriction.

is excluded from circulation

Implies that circulation is actively prevented or that something doesn't participate in a regular exchange

FAQs

What does "cannot be distributed" mean?

The phrase "cannot be distributed" means that something is not allowed to be shared, disseminated, or circulated. This restriction could be due to legal, ethical, or practical reasons.

What are some alternatives to "cannot be distributed"?

Alternatives include "may not be disseminated", "is prohibited from distribution", or "is not allowed to be circulated" depending on the context.

How should I use "cannot be distributed" in a sentence?

Use "cannot be distributed" to clearly state that something is restricted from being shared or spread. For example, "This confidential information cannot be distributed to unauthorized personnel."

What is the difference between "cannot be distributed" and "should not be distributed"?

"Cannot be distributed" implies a strict prohibition, whereas "should not be distributed" suggests a recommendation or guideline but not necessarily a complete ban. The former indicates a firm rule, while the latter allows for potential exceptions.