cannot be done through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be done through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a certain action or task cannot be accomplished by means of a specific method or process. Example: "This task cannot be done through traditional methods; we need to adopt new technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

This may require help, but it cannot be done through the application of external pressure.

The New York Times

But as the courts have repeatedly emphasized, it cannot be done through a sweeping censorship regime.

The New York Times

Exploratory drilling from floating rigs that can be towed away from icebergs generally cannot be done through ice, so the drilling season will be short.

The Economist

This cannot be done through increasing the permeability of the exoskeleton, which would allow significant water loss.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

It [the cancellation] cannot be done through diktat or arbitrary orders," Finance Minister P Chidambaram said on Monday.

BBC

Hence the importance of theurgic rites established by the gods themselves, to make it possible for the human soul to overcome the distance between the mortal and the divine, which cannot be done through increasing philosophical understanding.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The book cannot be done justice through second-hand description.

Huffington Post

Identifying the leverage point in the system cannot be done intuitively but through counterintuitive approach.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

That cannot be done.

The Guardian - Opinion

It just cannot be done".

Independent

"It cannot be done individually".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "cannot be done through", ensure that you clearly specify the method or process that is ineffective. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid replacing "through" with prepositions like "with" or "by" when the intended meaning is about the means or method. For instance, "cannot be done with X" might imply a tool rather than a process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be done through" functions as a negative assertion, indicating that a specific action or goal is not achievable by means of a particular method or process. As Ludwig AI indicates, the expression is valid and usable in many 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

The phrase "cannot be done through" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to indicate that a specific method is ineffective for achieving a particular goal. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, though it appears most frequently in news media and scientific publications. When using this phrase, it's important to specify the ineffective method clearly. Alternatives such as "cannot be achieved via" or "is not possible through" can be used to convey a similar meaning, offering greater flexibility in writing. This phrase provides clear direction and avoid using imprecise prepositions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be achieved via

Replaces "done through" with "achieved via", focusing on the method of achievement.

cannot be accomplished through

Substitutes "done" with "accomplished", emphasizing successful completion.

is not possible via

Uses "is not possible" instead of "cannot be done", highlighting impossibility.

cannot be obtained by means of

Replaces "done through" with a more formal "obtained by means of".

is unattainable through

Emphasizes that something is unattainable using the specified method.

cannot be realized via

Uses "realized" to focus on the actualization aspect.

is not feasible through

Highlights the impracticality of using a specific method.

cannot be effected through

Uses "effected" to focus on bringing about a result.

is not accessible through

Highlights that something cannot be accessed using the specified method.

cannot be facilitated by

Focuses on the inability of a method to facilitate an outcome.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "cannot be done through"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be achieved via", "is not possible via", or "cannot be accomplished through" depending on the context.

What does "cannot be done through" mean?

It means that a certain action or task is impossible to accomplish by means of a specific method or process.

Is "cannot be done through" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase "cannot be done through" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate the impossibility of achieving something via a particular method.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be done through"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that a particular method or approach is not a viable option for achieving a specific goal. For example, "Progress "cannot be done through" complacency; it requires effort and innovation."