cannot be followed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be followed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not able to be adhered to or obeyed, often in the context of rules, instructions, or guidelines. Example: "The instructions provided are unclear and cannot be followed, leading to confusion among the participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

But its glamorous example cannot be followed by many libraries.

The Guardian - Tech

And directors often think a bad-news departure cannot be followed by a promotion from within.

The New York Times

Delete "either," which ordinarily cannot be followed by more than two choices, and make the four possible goals parallel.

The New York Times

While this system is not in place, advice such as that from the NSABB last year simply cannot be followed," he said.

The Guardian

But the truth is that these are issues on which there is much disagreement, so promises now could well prove hollow if they cannot be followed through.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm willing to wait so the Wisconsin DOC can pay for surgery by someone I trust, but Nurse Michelle insists on giving orders she knows cannot be followed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The spare and evocative "Where the Eagle Cannot See" is followed by the theatrical, astringent intensity of "General William Booth Enters Into Heaven".

The New York Times - Arts

As for the switch-on kinetics, the first, fast phase cannot be resolved and is followed by a second slower phase.

Biophysical Journal

While it is certain that the dictates of conscience can never be morally disregarded, it is equally certain that a deliberately misleading act of conscience cannot morally be followed.

SEP

Recognizing that these recommendations cannot always be followed by older people, the American College of Sports Medicine subsequently published a position statement on physical activity in older adults which recommends a lower intensity and frequency of exercise [ 31].

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

How closely he was followed abroad cannot be determined from his blacked-out file, but passport photographs that he had supplied were duplicated there.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be followed", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is impossible to adhere to. For instance, "The outdated guidelines cannot be followed in the current context."

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "cannot be followed". Over-reliance on passive voice can make your writing sound vague. When possible, specify who or what is unable to follow something. Instead of "The rules cannot be followed", consider "Employees cannot follow these confusing rules."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be followed" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a certain action, instruction, or guideline is impossible or unfeasible to adhere to. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is grammatically sound. The examples highlight its use in diverse contexts, such as scientific research, news reporting, and philosophical discussions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

21%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Science & Research

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be followed" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate that something is impossible or impractical to adhere to. As Ludwig AI has indicated, this passive construction is frequently used in various contexts, particularly in science, news, and encyclopedic content. While its register is primarily neutral to formal, it’s important to specify what exactly is impossible to follow for clarity. Related phrases include "cannot be implemented" and "cannot be complied with". By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use this phrase to convey impossibility with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be implemented

Focuses on the inability to put a plan or instruction into effect.

cannot be complied with

Emphasizes the impossibility of adhering to rules or regulations.

cannot be adhered to

Highlights the inability to stick to a guideline or principle.

cannot be obeyed

Stresses the impossibility of following a command or order.

cannot be observed

Focuses on the inability to watch or notice a behavior.

cannot be honored

Highlights the inability to respect an agreement.

cannot be enforced

Focuses on the inability to impose a regulation.

cannot be tracked

Highlights the inability to follow the course of something.

cannot be pursued

Focuses on the inability to follow up something.

cannot be accomplished

Highlights the impossibility to finalize a task.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be followed" to express that something is impossible to adhere to or obey, such as rules, instructions, or examples. For example, "The advice "cannot be followed" without additional resources".

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

You can use alternatives like "cannot be implemented", "cannot be complied with", or "cannot be adhered to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cannot be followed" or "can't be followed"?

"Cannot be followed" and "can't be followed" are both correct. The first option is more formal than the second one.

What's the difference between "cannot be followed" and "cannot follow"?

"Cannot be followed" indicates that something is impossible to adhere to (passive voice), while "cannot follow" means someone is unable to understand or track something (active voice). For example, "The complex plot "cannot be followed" easily" versus "I "cannot follow" his reasoning".