cannot be envisaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be envisaged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is difficult or impossible to imagine or foresee. Example: "In the current economic climate, a complete recovery cannot be envisaged within the next year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Today, it's far from being something that cannot be envisaged".

The New York Times - Sports

"The government was forced to act now, both because economically, default cannot be envisaged, and politically to show that it is managing the situation," said Xavier Vives, an economics professor at the IESE Business School in Barcelona.

The New York Times

Finally, the wide scale adoption of structured reporting cannot be envisaged unless standard-based and user-friendly reporting tools are provided by industry.

Insights into Imaging

For the evaluation of the ISP, this type of method cannot be envisaged in any case because of the high number of policies introduced by the ISP and data limitation.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

The implementation of such practices cannot be envisaged without a close collaboration between GP organizations, Medical Councils, and Hospitals.

Critical Care

Mass detection of febrile patients by using this technique cannot be envisaged without accepting a high rate of false-positive results.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

These standpoints and their consequences cannot always be envisaged by the public and private clients, despite territorial context studies and the continuous consultations that take place from the beginning of the project through to its commissioning.

European Transport Research Review

Other scenarios that have not been investigated yet, such as changes in protein-protein interactions induced by phosphorylation of NOXA1 or p22phox [44], [44] could also be envisaged and we cannot rule out the possibility of involvement of an additional unknown component.

Plosone

Even when adequate analytic control of C may be envisaged in observational studies, researchers cannot estimate effect measures without the assumption external to data.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

They may be envisaged as convenient descriptors of phenomena in overtly recognizable form, but cannot be precisely delineated.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

What specific therapeutic uses might be envisaged?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be envisaged" to express a strong sense of impossibility or difficulty in imagining a future scenario or outcome. This phrase is particularly effective in formal writing and when emphasizing the limits of current understanding or planning.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be envisaged" in very casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "cannot be imagined" or "cannot be foreseen" may be more appropriate for everyday communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be envisaged" functions as a negative assertion, indicating the impossibility or extreme difficulty of imagining or foreseeing a particular situation. This phrase is often used to express limitations in planning, understanding, or prediction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

21%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be envisaged" is a grammatically correct phrase that expresses the difficulty or impossibility of imagining or foreseeing something. While not as common as simpler alternatives, it is well-suited for formal and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase sees usage across various reputable sources, including scientific journals and major news outlets. Alternatives such as "cannot be imagined" or "cannot be foreseen" can be used in more informal settings. Though it may not be the most frequent expression, its precise meaning and formal tone make it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be imagined

Replaces "envisaged" with "imagined", offering a more common synonym with slightly broader applications.

cannot be foreseen

Substitutes "envisaged" with "foreseen", focusing on the inability to predict or anticipate something.

cannot be anticipated

Similar to 'cannot be foreseen', but implies a slightly more active form of prediction.

is not conceivable

Uses a different verb and structure to express the lack of possibility of conceiving something.

is not predictable

Focuses on the lack of predictability, suitable when the context relates to future events.

is beyond comprehension

Indicates that something is impossible to understand, imagine or grasp.

is not within the realm of possibility

A more emphatic way of expressing impossibility.

lies outside the scope of consideration

Indicates that something is not relevant or appropriate to consider.

defies expectation

Highlights how something goes against expectations rather than being impossible to foresee.

is an unlikely prospect

Suggests that something is improbable rather than strictly impossible to imagine.

FAQs

What does "cannot be envisaged" mean?

The phrase "cannot be envisaged" means that something is impossible or very difficult to imagine or foresee. It indicates a lack of possibility in conceiving a particular scenario or outcome.

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

You can use "cannot be envisaged" to describe situations or plans that are beyond current capabilities or understanding. For example: "Given the current limitations, a complete solution to the problem "cannot be envisaged" at this time."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be envisaged"?

Alternatives to "cannot be envisaged" include "cannot be imagined", "cannot be foreseen", "is not conceivable", or "is beyond comprehension". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "cannot be envisaged" formal or informal?

"Cannot be envisaged" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "cannot be imagined" or "can't be seen" may be preferred.