cannot be forfeited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be forfeited" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal, financial, or contractual contexts to indicate that something cannot be lost or given up. Example: "Under the terms of this agreement, the rights granted to the parties cannot be forfeited without mutual consent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It cannot be forfeited so easily.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bank loans held on undelivered property often cannot be forfeited, and borrowers have had to pay higher interest rates even as banks have not let them walk away from the mortgages.

The New York Times

Under orders to impound every vehicle in a D.W.I. arrest, even though a seized car cannot be forfeited unless it is registered to the person arrested, the number of impounded vehicles grew to over 3,000 and storage became a logistical nightmare.

The New York Times

Natural allegiance is therefore a debt of gratitude; which cannot be forfeited, cancelled, or altered, by any change of time, place, or circumstance, nor by any thing but the united concurrence of the legislature.

University of Chicago

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

If the winner cannot make the dates of the trip the prize will be forfeited and offered to one of the other winners of the monthly competitions.

The Guardian - Travel

Clients cannot depend on their lawyers to show up, and, if no one is present, the lawsuit may be forfeited entirely.

The New York Times

Something of you would be forfeited, diminished.

The New York Times

All claim their loyalty will be forfeited.

Harvard University

Some big ambitions must be forfeited somewhere.

The Guardian - Opinion

Previously, any balance in the accounts had to be forfeited.

The New York Times

Any excess will be forfeited to the state treasury.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be forfeited", ensure that the context clearly defines what is being protected and under what circumstances it cannot be lost. This adds clarity and strengthens the legal or contractual implications of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be forfeited" in casual conversations or informal writing. This phrase carries a formal and often legalistic tone, which may sound unnatural or overly stiff in everyday contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "cannot be lost" or "cannot be given up".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be forfeited" functions as a passive construction expressing impossibility. It indicates that something is protected from being lost or surrendered, often due to legal or contractual reasons. Ludwig's examples show its use in contexts involving rights, loans and agreements.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be forfeited" is a formal phrase used to express that something is protected from being lost or surrendered, typically in legal or contractual contexts. Ludwig highlights that the phrase is grammatically correct but is relatively rare and formal, making it best suited for legal, academic, or official writing. Alternatives like "cannot be lost" or "cannot be surrendered" may be more appropriate in less formal settings. The phrase's primary function is to emphasize the secure nature of a right or asset, ensuring it remains protected under specific conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be surrendered

Replaces "forfeited" with "surrendered", focusing on the act of giving up something.

cannot be relinquished

Substitutes "forfeited" with "relinquished", emphasizing the act of voluntarily letting go.

cannot be lost

Replaces "forfeited" with "lost", simplifying the phrase to indicate an inability to misplace or be deprived of something.

cannot be taken away

Replaces "forfeited" with "taken away", highlighting the inability to have something forcibly removed.

cannot be seized

Focuses on the inability to be confiscated or taken by legal authority.

cannot be deprived of

Emphasizes the inability to be denied or have something withheld.

cannot be alienated

Highlights the inability to be separated or transferred to another party.

cannot be divested

Focuses on the inability to be stripped of or dispossessed.

is immune to forfeiture

Emphasizes resistance to the action of forfeiture.

remains inviolable

Highlights the state of being untouchable and protected from violation.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "cannot be forfeited"?

The phrase "cannot be forfeited" is most appropriately used in formal contexts, such as legal documents, contracts, and academic writing, where it is necessary to emphasize that a right, privilege, or asset is protected and cannot be lost under normal circumstances.

What are some simpler alternatives to "cannot be forfeited"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "cannot be lost", "cannot be surrendered", or "cannot be taken away". These options are less formal and more suitable for general writing.

Is there a difference between "cannot be forfeited" and "cannot be relinquished"?

While similar, "cannot be forfeited" often implies a legal or contractual context where something is lost due to a failure to meet obligations, whereas "cannot be relinquished" suggests a more voluntary act of giving something up that is not permissible.

How does the tone of "cannot be forfeited" compare to "cannot be lost"?

"Cannot be forfeited" has a stronger, more formal and often legal tone. "Cannot be lost" is more general and can be used in a wider range of contexts without sounding overly formal.