cannot be interrupted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be interrupted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or process that is continuous and should not be disturbed or halted. Example: "The meeting is scheduled to last for two hours and cannot be interrupted under any circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Much of the job has to be done at night because daily operations cannot be interrupted.

The New York Times

He argued loudly and unsuccessfully in favor of restricting federal airport searches and gave a personal privilege speech — a fancy term for a heartfelt oratorical address to the House that cannot be interrupted for debate — railing against the machinations he said prevented passage of the "anti-groping" legislation.

The New York Times

Makers of chips and flat-panel displays may be among those most immediately affected, said Richard Doherty, president of the Envisioneering Group, a technology research and consulting company in Seaford, N.Y., in part because the manufacturing of those products depends on lengthy, multistep processes that cannot be interrupted.

The New York Times

The process of a job on a machine cannot be interrupted.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

In both cases, the tests are not generally suitable for mission-critical situations where the task flow cannot be interrupted.

Journal of Shipping and Trade

The faults must be detected and discriminated very quickly because if the fault current rises above the maximum breaker current, fault current cannot be interrupted subsequently.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

His thoughts come out sequentially, in carefully constructed sentences which cannot easily be interrupted.

The Guardian

If a sensor playing a critical role in a sensing task cannot function as usual due to exhausted energy, then the sensing task will be interrupted.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

But should he be interrupted in the middle of a phrase that he is writing... he becomes muddled and cannot start up again.

The New Yorker

Blogging may be interrupted!

The New York Times

Power supplies can be interrupted.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be interrupted", ensure the context clearly indicates why the interruption is impossible or highly undesirable. For example, "The surgery cannot be interrupted due to the patient's critical condition".

Common error

Avoid overusing "cannot be interrupted" when "should not be interrupted" is more appropriate. "Cannot" implies a strict impossibility, while "should not" suggests a strong recommendation against interruption.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be interrupted" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating that an action or process is impossible or highly undesirable to stop. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in diverse contexts, emphasizing continuity and the avoidance of disruptions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be interrupted" is a commonly used modal verb phrase indicating that a process or action must continue without any breaks or disturbances. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in science, news media, and wiki sources. While generally neutral in tone, it can be more formal in scientific or business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context justifies the strong prohibition it implies, and consider alternatives like "should not be disturbed" when a less absolute tone is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must not be interrupted

Emphasizes obligation rather than impossibility.

must remain uninterrupted

Highlights the need for a continuous state without breaks.

should not be disturbed

Suggests a recommendation against interruption, rather than a strict prohibition.

cannot be disturbed

Focuses on avoiding disruption rather than stopping the process.

is not allowed to be interrupted

Explicitly prohibits interruption through a rule or regulation.

may not be interrupted

Indicates a lack of permission for interruption.

is essential to continue without breaks

Highlights the importance of uninterrupted continuation.

is imperative to remain unbroken

Stresses the critical nature of maintaining continuity.

is crucial not to be halted

Emphasizes the importance of preventing any stops.

requires complete continuity

Focuses on the need for an unbroken sequence.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be interrupted" to describe processes or activities that must continue without any breaks or disturbances. For example, "The data transfer /s/cannot+be+interrupted/ because it could result in data loss".

What's a more formal alternative to "cannot be interrupted"?

In formal settings, you can use "must not be interrupted" or "should remain uninterrupted" to convey a similar meaning with a slightly more professional tone. For example, "The experiment /s/must+not+be+interrupted/ to ensure accurate results".

Is it always appropriate to use "cannot be interrupted", or are there situations where another phrase is better?

While "cannot be interrupted" indicates a strict prohibition of interruption, consider alternatives like "should not be disturbed" or "is best left uninterrupted" if the situation warrants a less absolute tone. Sometimes, "should not be interrupted" or similar phrases better reflect recommendations or guidelines.

What does it mean when something "cannot be interrupted"?

When something "cannot be interrupted", it means that stopping or disrupting the process is either impossible due to technical constraints or highly undesirable due to potential negative consequences. It indicates that it is essential to maintain continuity.