cannot be finished

USAGE SUMMARY

'cannot be finished' is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate an inability to complete an action, such as "This project cannot be finished without more resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The program cannot be finished until the president-elect has chosen his guest speakers and entertainers.

The New York Times

Large sections of the park can be built before that, but the construction cannot be finished until the methane and polluted water dissipate, he said.

The New York Times

His mother-in-law and his sister each own one of the two incomplete homes that cannot be finished because they have liens.

The New York Times

Construction of the vehicle-screening center cannot be finished until the long-delayed demolition of the former Deutsche Bank building at 130 Liberty Street is completed.

The New York Times

If the tournament cannot be finished in regulation time by the close of Sunday afternoon then play can go until sunset at 6.43pm on Monday.

The Guardian - Sport

If the tests cannot be finished before then, the results may not come until late August or early September, he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

But Senator Rockefeller told reporters on Capitol Hill on Friday that the review was "far from complete" and that a committee report "cannot possibly be finished before the end of the year".

The New York Times

This requires Leonardo to be fitted with extra shielding to protect it from small meteoritic impacts, and this work cannot now be finished in time to make the September launch window.

BBC

Therefore, the execution times of threads in a warp will be different and the warp cannot be complete until the slowest thread finishes its work, resulting in a longer warp execution time.

BioMed Research International

Most of these parts must be finished with high accuracy, which cannot be obtained with conducting turning process only.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

However, when cells cannot maintain prolonged cell cycle arrest in G2 phase, they enter mitosis before DNA repair can be finished.

Cell Death and Disease

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be finished" when you want to express that something is impossible to bring to a final state due to certain constraints or limitations.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions with "cannot be finished" when a more direct, active voice would be clearer and more concise. For example, instead of "The project cannot be finished by the team", consider "The team cannot finish the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be finished" primarily functions as a modal verb phrase expressing impossibility or inability. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in stating that something is unachievable due to certain conditions or limitations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be finished" is a grammatically sound expression used to indicate the impossibility of completing a task or project. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, its usage is appropriate in various contexts, particularly news and science. The phrase carries a neutral register and is effective for conveying limitations or obstacles that prevent completion. Alternatives such as ""cannot be completed"" or ""cannot be concluded"" can provide similar meanings with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be completed

Emphasizes the impossibility of reaching a state of completion.

cannot reach completion

Highlights the inability to achieve completion.

cannot be concluded

Focuses on the inability to bring something to a conclusion or resolution.

cannot be finalized

Highlights the impossibility of reaching a final or settled state.

cannot be accomplished

Stresses the inability to achieve or execute something successfully.

cannot come to an end

Focuses on the impossibility of something ceasing or stopping.

cannot be executed

Focuses on the inability to perform or carry out a task or plan.

cannot be terminated

Emphasizes the impossibility of ending or ceasing something.

cannot be realised

Highlights the impossibility of something becoming real or achieved.

cannot be brought to fruition

Highlights the inability to bring something to a successful realization.

FAQs

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

You can use "cannot be finished" to indicate that something is impossible to complete due to certain limitations or obstacles. For instance, "The report "cannot be finished" without the necessary data".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "cannot be finished"?

Alternatives include "cannot be completed", "cannot be concluded", or "cannot be finalized". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "cannot be finished" and "cannot be completed"?

While similar, "cannot be finished" might imply a lack of resources or time to bring something to an end, whereas "cannot be completed" might suggest fundamental obstacles preventing the task from reaching a state of completion.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be finished" instead of a more direct statement?

Use "cannot be finished" when you want to emphasize the impossibility of completing something, often due to external factors or inherent limitations. It adds a sense of finality or inevitability to the statement.