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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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cannot be gotten rid of

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be gotten rid of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is persistent or cannot be eliminated or removed. Example: "The stain on the carpet cannot be gotten rid of, no matter how hard I try."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In an accelerating universe, however, there is an additional source of heat that cannot be gotten rid of.

So it is not surprising to find solutions (equilibria or periodic solutions) in Fix , since those fusion solutions cannot be gotten rid of by perturbation.

They can also be useful if you have more than 7 cards in your hand that cannot be gotten rid of in other ways and you do not want to risk it with a seven being rolled.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

'Once the fungus gets in the soil, it cannot be got rid of.' The impending crisis is akin to the Irish potato famine, say biologists.

News & Media

The Guardian

"Even members of the opposition and civil society have openly or discreetly admitted that the organization cannot be got rid of," she said.

News & Media

The New York Times

Well, we don't know about Republicans, but we do know what The Economist said, in 1848, about proposals for a London sewer system: Suffering and evil are nature's admonitions; they cannot be got rid of; and the impatient efforts of benevolence to banish them from the world by legislation, before benevolence has learned their object and their end, have always been more productive of evil than good.

News & Media

The New York Times

For example, an incomplete newborn-sized baby hat for a friend's two-year-old son should be gotten rid of if you cannot give it to another newborn baby; the same son won't be a newborn again.

The most difficult problem, students and professors said, is getting rid of teachers who cannot accept the new thinking.

News & Media

The New York Times

Mr. Crews was being got rid of.

News & Media

The New Yorker

The problem is getting rid of it.

"We are getting rid of the foreclosures".

News & Media

Los Angeles Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be gotten rid of" when you want to emphasize the persistence or irremovability of something, especially in situations where attempts to remove it have failed. This phrase conveys a sense of frustration or inevitability.

Common error

While "cannot be gotten rid of" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or unclear. Whenever possible, rephrase to use an active voice construction for a more direct and impactful sentence. For example, instead of "The problem cannot be gotten rid of", consider "We cannot solve the problem".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be gotten rid of" functions as a passive construction, indicating an inability to eliminate or remove something. Ludwig examples show this phrase used to describe persistent problems or unavoidable situations, highlighting the subject's resistance to being eliminated.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be gotten rid of" is a grammatically correct but somewhat informal way to express the inability to eliminate something. Ludwig AI suggests it's best used to emphasize persistence or irremovability, conveying frustration or inevitability. While it appears in various contexts like news, science and wiki, more formal alternatives such as "cannot be eliminated" or "cannot be removed" may be preferable in academic or professional settings. Be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider active voice constructions for stronger writing.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "cannot be gotten rid of" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "cannot be eliminated", "cannot be removed", or "cannot be eradicated", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "cannot be gotten rid of" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase "cannot be gotten rid of" is grammatically correct, although it is somewhat informal. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

What's a more concise way to say "cannot be gotten rid of"?

A more concise option would be "inescapable" or "unavoidable", although these may slightly alter the original meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be gotten rid of"?

This phrase is appropriate when describing something persistent or difficult to eliminate, often implying a sense of frustration or permanence. For example, "The stain on the carpet "cannot be gotten rid of", no matter how hard I try".

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: