cannot be enforced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be enforced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that a rule, law, or agreement lacks the ability to be upheld or applied. Example: "The contract contains several clauses that cannot be enforced due to their ambiguity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It cannot be enforced.

The New York Times - Health

Therefore, higher-level specifications (e.g., resource bounds, generalized access control, formal software protocols) cannot be enforced.

Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science

Laws that are at variance with the country's international agreements cannot be enforced by the courts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Voluntary efforts, however, may not go far enough and cannot be enforced.

The Economist

Often governments are seen as illegitimate, or their rules cannot be enforced.

The Guardian - Opinion

Legal experts say the laws cannot be enforced under the Constitution.

The New York Times

A forbidden tax cannot be enforced in order to facilitate the collection of one properly laid.

Cornell University

The order of play has a significant impact on cheating behavior, even though the rules cannot be enforced.

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization

It is pointless to promulgate laws which cannot be enforced because technology makes it easy to circumvent them.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

have supposed that treatment should be predicated on a realistic view of what can and cannot be enforced.

The New Yorker

By contrast, the 2030 successor is only binding on the EU as a whole, meaning it cannot be enforced.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or regulatory matters, clearly state why something "cannot be enforced". Providing context strengthens your argument and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be enforced" when the situation merely presents significant challenges to enforcement, rather than a complete impossibility. Using qualifiers like "difficult to enforce" may be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be enforced" functions as a passive construction indicating the lack of feasibility or authority to compel compliance with a rule, law, or agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase accurately conveys that there is no way to make something compulsory.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

27%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be enforced" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates the impossibility of compelling adherence to a rule or law. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable. Its prevalence across diverse sources, from news media to academic journals, underscores its versatility. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specify why something is unenforceable to maximize impact. Though generally neutral in register, context can shift its formality. Alternatives like ""is unenforceable"" offer similar meanings, ensuring precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unenforceable

Direct synonym focusing on the lack of legal or practical means to compel adherence.

is not enforceable

Negation of "is enforceable", emphasizing the inability to apply or implement.

cannot be implemented

Focuses on the inability to put a plan, rule, or law into effect.

cannot be applied

Highlights the inability to use or bring something to bear on a specific situation.

is not actionable

Emphasizes the lack of legal basis or practical possibility for taking action.

is beyond enforcement

Highlights that the limits to do something are out of the current capabilities of who wants to enforce

lacks enforceability

Highlights that the limits to do something are out of the current capabilities of who wants to enforce

cannot be policed

Highlights the difficulty or impossibility of monitoring and controlling compliance.

is not binding

Focuses on the lack of legal obligation or requirement to follow.

is of no effect

Highlights the lack of real or practical influence.

FAQs

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

You can use "cannot be enforced" to describe laws, rules, or agreements that lack the ability to be upheld or applied. For example: "The new regulations "cannot be enforced" due to lack of resources."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be enforced"?

Some alternatives include "is unenforceable", "is not enforceable", or "cannot be implemented", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "is not enforceable" or "cannot be enforced"?

Both "cannot be enforced" and "is not enforceable" are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or emphasis.

What makes a law such that it "cannot be enforced"?

A law "cannot be enforced" if there are legal obstacles, insufficient resources, or practical impossibilities that prevent its application. For example, a law may conflict with constitutional rights or be too vague to be applied fairly.