cannot be entrusted

USAGE SUMMARY

"cannot be entrusted" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is not reliable or trustworthy enough to be given a responsibility or task. It is often used to express doubt or caution. Example: The company's financial records cannot be entrusted to the inexperienced intern.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"Any public official who has been found guilty of racial profiling and ignores the orders of the court cannot be entrusted with the safety and well-being of the community and should step down in shame," the immigrant rights group Puente Arizona said in a statement Friday.

Los Angeles Times

Precious holiday giving cannot be entrusted to a Web site.

The New York Times

The notion that the federal government cannot be entrusted with such a sensitive task is absurd.

The New York Times

But changing it cannot be entrusted to a single person at the top.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This is so large, so complex and so important that it cannot be entrusted to one single process," Ms. Figueres said.

The New York Times

It is, he keeps telling people, the reason why the economy has been such a success and why it cannot be entrusted to the dangerous Mr Bush.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The natural right to freedom of thought and judgment and to "inner" religion cannot, however, be entrusted to the state; here political authority finds the factual limits of its power.

SEP

Other Democrats were predictably gleeful, and Paul Begala, a party strategist, questioned whether an organization that cannot handle the rewind button can be entrusted with the nuclear button.

The New York Times

If universities cannot afford the protection necessary to ensure that bomb fuel is kept out of Al Qaeda's hands, they should no longer be entrusted with it.

The New York Times

These were now to be entrusted to the new basilica.

The New York Times

To be entrusted with that is a true honor".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be entrusted", clearly state the reason why someone or something is not suitable for the task. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be entrusted" without providing specific reasons. A vague statement can weaken your argument and make it seem biased.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be entrusted" functions as a negative assertion expressing a lack of confidence or suitability. It indicates that someone or something is deemed unreliable or unqualified to handle a particular task or responsibility. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be entrusted" is a versatile expression used to convey a lack of confidence or suitability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted in English writing. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. When employing this phrase, it is crucial to provide specific reasons for the lack of trust to strengthen the argument. While alternatives like "should not be trusted" or "is not reliable enough" exist, "cannot be entrusted" carries a stronger, more definitive tone. Ultimately, understanding the nuances of this phrase allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should not be trusted

Replaces "entrusted" with a more direct synonym, "trusted", simplifying the phrase.

is not reliable enough

Focuses on the lack of reliability as the reason for not entrusting.

is unfit to be given

Emphasizes the unsuitability of the person or thing for the task.

should not be assigned to

Replaces "entrusted" with "assigned", which is a more formal and direct synonym.

is not qualified for

Highlights the lack of qualifications as the reason for not entrusting.

is too risky to place in charge of

Emphasizes the risk associated with entrusting something to someone.

is not dependable enough for

Focuses on the lack of dependability as the reason for not entrusting.

is too irresponsible to be given

Highlights the irresponsibility as the reason for not entrusting.

is ill-suited for

Emphasizes that the person or thing does not fit for that work.

is too dangerous to give

Highlights the danger as the reason for not entrusting.

FAQs

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

You can use "cannot be entrusted" to express a lack of confidence in someone's ability to handle a responsibility. For example, "The sensitive data "cannot be entrusted" to an entry-level employee."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be entrusted"?

Alternatives include phrases like "should not be trusted", "is not reliable enough", or "is unfit to be given", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "cannot be entrusted" a formal or informal expression?

"Cannot be entrusted" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the communication.

What's the difference between "cannot be entrusted" and "should not be entrusted"?

"Cannot be entrusted" implies a stronger sense of unsuitability or risk, suggesting the person or thing is definitively not capable. "Should not be entrusted" is a milder suggestion, implying it's inadvisable but perhaps not entirely impossible.