cannot be gone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be gone" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express that something is not able to be absent or missing, but it is not commonly used. Example: "In this situation, the truth cannot be gone; it will always find a way to surface."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He cannot be gone from Washington for long periods, because of both pressing business here and security concerns, and he particularly cannot be tied up in the ceremonial rituals of extended trips overseas.

The New York Times

It seems to hinge on whether a mental event (token) or part of it could be a meaning, a matter that cannot be gone into here.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But I cannot be going up and down to the north all the time – the expenses would be too much.

The Guardian

Quite simply put, if the war is still going on, it cannot be going well, as it has already lasted five years too long.

The New York Times

If they are right, postulated processes that do not bear this relation to our experiential lives cannot be going on in our minds.

SEP

We cannot believe he is gone.

The Guardian - Arts

"I cannot believe he is gone and we are the poorer for it," he said.

The Guardian - Film

We cannot believe she is gone and we will love and miss her always.

The New York Times

I cannot believe he is gone".

BBC

I still cannot believe he is gone.

Huffington Post

I cannot imagine what they must be going through.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "cannot be gone" with a more common or direct alternative like "cannot be absent" or "cannot disappear" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be gone" in contexts where the meaning could be ambiguous. Because it's not a standard phrase, readers might misinterpret your intended message. Be specific.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be gone" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing impossibility or necessity related to a state of being. Ludwig's analysis indicates it's not a standard expression, making clarity crucial when employed.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be gone" is a grammatically acceptable but uncommon phrase used to express the impossibility of absence or disappearance. Ludwig identifies it as non-standard, suggesting users exercise caution and ensure clarity when employing it. More common alternatives like "cannot be absent" or "must remain" may be clearer in many contexts. While the phrase appears in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, its rarity suggests a need for careful consideration of the intended message and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be absent

Replaces 'gone' with 'absent', focusing on the state of not being present.

cannot be missing

Replaces 'gone' with 'missing', highlighting a state of being lost or unaccounted for.

cannot disappear

Highlights the impossibility of something vanishing.

must remain

Emphasizes the necessity of staying in place or continuing to exist.

will always be present

Emphasizes continual presence.

is required to stay

Formalizes the requirement to remain in a certain location or state.

cannot cease to exist

Formally expresses the impossibility of ending existence.

is irremovable

Focuses on the inability to remove something from its position.

must endure

Highlights the necessity of lasting or surviving.

is here to stay

Idiomatically conveys permanence or inevitability.

FAQs

What does "cannot be gone" mean?

The phrase "cannot be gone" suggests that something is required to be present or cannot be removed. It's not a standard phrase, so it can sometimes be ambiguous. Consider more common alternatives for clarity.

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

You can use alternatives like "cannot be absent", "cannot be missing", or "must remain" depending on the context.

Is "cannot be gone" grammatically correct?

While not a standard phrase, "cannot be gone" is grammatically sound. However, because it's uncommon, it might not be the best choice for clear communication. Consider if a more direct phrase would be more appropriate.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be gone"?

Use "cannot be gone" when you want to emphasize the impossibility of something being absent or disappearing. Be mindful that this is not a common phrase, so clarity is important. A phrase like "is here to stay" may be more appropriate.