cannot be gained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be gained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is unattainable or cannot be acquired. Example: "In this situation, trust cannot be gained without consistent honesty and transparency."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Deep understanding of a company's business cannot be gained or maintained solely in board meetings.

Columbia University

A second aspect of training is one that cannot be gained from the courses or seminars.

Stanford University

If knowledge of reality cannot be gained by rational means, then one must turn to faith.

Britannica

In a country in which connections and favored treatment are common, he notes, "entry to higher education cannot be gained through under-the-counter deals, friendships, or bribes".

The New York Times

As I have said, happiness cannot be gained without good works and just and righteous deeds.…The best works are those that benefit many people.

Britannica

A comprehensive view of these questions cannot be gained solely from experience in home affairs; in order to advise on such matters a man must be keenly interested in the methods worked out in other lands.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Clinical judgements about this rare group of children require a breadth of experience that cannot usually be gained at secondary level.

Archives of Disease in Childhood

Such insights into potential cellular mechanisms cannot easily be gained from in vivo experiments where cellular effects can typically only be assessed at endpoint, thus highlighting the value of this mathematical model.

Biology Direct

The gene cannot also be gained in c2 or any of its descendants, since, if the gain penalty g is chosen to be equal to the number of nodes in the tree, the inconsistency of this scenario would be at least 2 g.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Bellow opted not to respond ("I cannot see what would be gained by answering Mr. West, whether sweetly or hotly"), but concluded, "It is very reassuring, however, to know that you feel the review falsified and misrepresented the book.

The New Yorker

One possible reason is that genes, which were invented later in evolution, cannot have been gained early on.

Biology Direct

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be gained", ensure the sentence clearly states what specific action or condition prevents the gaining. Providing context enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid embedding "cannot be gained" within overly long and convoluted sentences. This can obscure the core message. Break down complex sentences for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be gained" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating impossibility or unattainability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression, commonly used to express that something is unattainable or cannot be acquired.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be gained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase that signifies the impossibility of obtaining something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and useful expression. Common contexts include science, news, and academic writing. While various alternatives exist, such as "cannot be obtained" or "cannot be achieved", the best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use the phrase in clear, concise sentences to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be obtained

Focuses on the impossibility of getting or receiving something.

is unachievable

A direct synonym expressing impossibility of achievement.

cannot be achieved

Emphasizes the impossibility of accomplishing or reaching a goal.

cannot be acquired

Highlights the inability to gain possession of something, often knowledge or skills.

is not attainable

Stresses the unreachability of a specific outcome or objective.

is beyond reach

Implies something is inaccessible or too difficult to obtain.

is not possible to secure

Focuses on the impossibility of ensuring or making something safe.

is out of the question

Indicates something is completely unacceptable or impossible.

cannot be realized

Highlights that something is not able to become a reality.

cannot be developed

Focuses on the impossibility of progress or advancement in something.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be gained" to indicate that something is impossible to obtain or achieve. For example, "Trust "cannot be gained" without honesty" or "Knowledge "cannot be gained" without effort."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be gained"?

Alternatives include "cannot be obtained", "cannot be achieved", "is not attainable", and "is beyond reach". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "cannot be gained" or "cannot gain"?

"Cannot be gained" is a passive construction, while "cannot gain" is active. Use "cannot be gained" when you want to emphasize the thing that is not obtained, and "cannot gain" when you want to emphasize the actor who fails to obtain it.

What's the difference between "cannot be gained" and "cannot be acquired"?

While similar, "cannot be gained" often implies a process or effort is required, whereas "cannot be acquired" suggests more of a formal or structured acquisition. Choose based on the nuance you want to convey.