cannot be expunged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be expunged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is permanent or cannot be removed, such as legal or formal discussions. Example: "The record of the incident cannot be expunged from the official documents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Even in the lab, human beings must interpret results, and those interpretations cannot be expunged of the interpreter's thought, language and culture.

The Guardian - Books

The city's tradition of virulent discrimination cannot be expunged from daily life, however.

The New Yorker

Rhodes cannot be expunged from the history of Oxford, Britain and South Africa.

The Guardian - Opinion

But in Virginia, those records cannot be expunged; they will remain public.

The Washington Post

Since scientific and engineering knowledge cannot be expunged from mankind's memory, the potential to build weapons will always exist.

The New York Times

Like some malignant curse in an unfathomable Greek myth, the desire to commit violence cannot be expunged; it repeats itself through the generations.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But terrorism is unlikely to be expunged.

The Economist

Under this arrangement, his arrest record could be expunged.

The New Yorker

Will America's racial past be expunged or America's sexist past be expunged?

The New York Times

That is the great Blairite heresy that must be expunged.

The Telegraph

And they can be expunged with brutal efficiency.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be expunged" in legal or formal writing, ensure the context clearly establishes what specific record or information is permanent and irremovable. For instance, specify "the criminal record" or "the disciplinary action".

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be expunged" loosely to describe situations where something is merely difficult to remove or forget. The phrase implies an absolute legal or official permanence, not just a challenge in erasing a memory or an impression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be expunged" primarily functions as a modal passive construction, indicating the impossibility of removing or erasing something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it asserts that a particular record, memory, or piece of information is irremovable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be expunged" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something cannot be legally or officially removed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is best suited for formal contexts such as legal documents, official reports, and academic writing. While not exceedingly common, its usage is well-established in news media and encyclopedic sources. Related phrases include "cannot be erased" and "cannot be deleted", offering similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be erased

Focuses on the inability to remove something, similar to expunging.

cannot be deleted

Emphasizes the impossibility of removing digital or written information.

cannot be obliterated

Highlights the impossibility of completely destroying or removing something.

cannot be eradicated

Focuses on the impossibility of eliminating something completely.

cannot be removed

A more general term for the inability to take something away.

cannot be undone

Emphasizes the impossibility of reversing an action or its consequences.

cannot be revoked

Implies that something granted or established cannot be taken back or cancelled.

cannot be rescinded

Similar to 'revoked', but often used in legal or official contexts.

cannot be reversed

Focuses on the inability to change the direction or outcome of something.

cannot be taken away

A more conversational and direct way of expressing the impossibility of removal.

FAQs

How to use "cannot be expunged" in a sentence?

The phrase "cannot be expunged" is used to describe something that cannot be removed or erased, typically in legal or formal contexts. For example: "In Virginia, those records "cannot be expunged"; they will remain public."

What can I say instead of "cannot be expunged"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be erased", "cannot be deleted", or "cannot be removed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cannot be expunged" or "cannot be expunge"?

"Cannot be expunged" is the correct form. The verb 'expunge' requires the past participle form 'expunged' when used with 'be' in passive constructions. "Cannot be expunge" is grammatically incorrect.

What does it mean when a record "cannot be expunged"?

When a record "cannot be expunged", it means that it cannot be legally or officially erased or removed from the system. This often applies to criminal records or other official documents that are intended to be permanent.