cannot be forwarded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be forwarded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something, such as a message or document, is not able to be sent or passed along to another person or location. Example: "This email contains sensitive information and cannot be forwarded to anyone outside the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Third, messages from the president will be designed so they cannot be forwarded.

The New York Times

White House classified systems run on dedicated lines and information on those systems, the officials said, cannot be forwarded to Gmail accounts.

The New York Times - Tech

Grant checks cannot be forwarded, so they go back to the agency, and that is the tip-off that something is amiss.

The New York Times

VidMe links cannot be forwarded; there is no limit on how many people can see a private video; and people can track whom they granted access to and add or delete viewers.

The New York Times

I believe that all-mail elections actually increase voter integrity by disallowing voting by those who have moved but still vote at their old precinct, since ballots cannot be forwarded.

The New York Times

Zombies are leftover copies from previously carried messages and cannot be forwarded.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Given the tolerance α, an RPD R1 is forward-compatible with R2 if: This is similar to the definition of compatibility between two RPDs, except "one-sided", such that if R1 is forward-compatible with R2 then R2 cannot be forward-compatible with R1 unless R1 = R2.

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

Messages with attachments will not be forwarded to the list, because attachments cannot be archived.

Science Magazine

A Location Query is failed to be answered when it cannot be further forwarded before an answer is found.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

If that person cannot approve it, the request is forwarded to "utilization review," conducted by doctors at a firm hired by the county.

Los Angeles Times

Because the hind flippers cannot be moved forward, these seals propel themselves on land by wriggling on their bellies or pulling themselves forward with their front limbs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer active voice, when available, to communicate if forwarding is not allowed, it may sound clearer if a person or an entity prohibits forwarding, or if forwarding is impossible.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be forwarded" when a weaker restriction like "should not be forwarded" is more appropriate. "Cannot" implies an impossibility, while "should not" suggests a recommendation or guideline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be forwarded" functions as a passive construction expressing prohibition or technical impossibility. As Ludwig AI shows, it commonly restricts the transfer of information or data. This prevents unauthorized distribution or ensures data integrity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be forwarded" is a commonly used passive construction that indicates something is either technically impossible or explicitly prohibited from being shared or redirected. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears most frequently in news and scientific contexts, signaling its use in both formal and neutral registers. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the reason for the restriction is evident. Be mindful of the subtle differences between "cannot", "should not", and other similar phrases to convey the precise level of restriction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be transmitted

Substitutes "forwarded" with "transmitted", focusing on the act of sending rather than direction.

cannot be passed on

Uses a more informal phrasal verb with a similar meaning.

is unsendable

Replaces the passive construction with a single adjective describing the impossibility of sending.

may not be forwarded

Expresses the restriction as a lack of permission rather than an impossibility.

is not allowed to be forwarded

Adds an explicit prohibition, emphasizing the lack of permission.

is prohibited from being forwarded

Strengthens the restriction with the term "prohibited", indicating a formal ban.

forwarding is not permitted

Changes the sentence structure to focus on the act of forwarding being disallowed.

does not permit forwarding

Similar to the previous one, but emphasizes the entity which doesn't allow the action.

is unshareable

Replaces the action with a descriptive adjective focused on the ability to share.

cannot be redirected

Uses "redirected" as a synonym focusing on changing the direction of something.

FAQs

What does "cannot be forwarded" mean?

The phrase "cannot be forwarded" means that something, such as a message, document, or file, is not allowed or technically unable to be sent to another recipient or location.

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

You can use alternatives like "is unsendable", "cannot be transmitted", or "is not allowed to be forwarded" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "cannot be forwarded"?

Yes, the phrase "cannot be forwarded" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice to indicate that an action (forwarding) is not possible or permitted.

In what contexts is "cannot be forwarded" typically used?

The phrase "cannot be forwarded" is commonly used in legal, professional, and technical contexts to describe restrictions on sharing or distributing information, or forwarding packets in a computer network.