cannot be linked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be linked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the inability to connect or associate two or more items, concepts, or pieces of information. Example: "The evidence presented in the case cannot be linked to the suspect, leading to his acquittal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Furthermore, different actions by the same person cannot be linked.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Those proposals cannot be linked to the Santa Barbara murders.

The Washington Post

They also say they "anonymize" the data, so it cannot be linked to a particular person.

The New York Times

More than 80percentt of transmissions cannot be linked to close contacts among household members.

Stanford University

The nature of that, however, cannot be linked to anything political; being blunt, it has always existed.

The Guardian - Sport

Making things worse, due to SGXâs privacy features, an attestation report cannot be linked to the identity of its signer.

University of California, Berkeley

All contributions over $200 must be reported, and they cannot be linked to cases the commissioners are deciding.

The New York Times

| Note: Some money that has been reported to the F.E.C. cannot be linked to any individual donor.

The New York Times

No biological tests exist to diagnose fibromyalgia, and the condition cannot be linked to any environmental or biological causes.

The New York Times - Health

Conditions or processes of ecosystems that cannot be linked to the welfare of identifiable beneficiary groups are not ecosystem services.

Britannica

Just as there is no art medium that has been untouched by photography, there are few styles that cannot be linked to some branch of outsider art.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be linked", ensure that the reason for the lack of connection is clear to the reader. Providing context enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be linked" when a weak correlation exists. Reserve the phrase for situations where there is demonstrably no connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be linked" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating the impossibility of establishing a connection or relationship. As shown by Ludwig, it often appears in contexts where data privacy or causal relationships are discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

28%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be linked" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to denote the impossibility of establishing a connection between entities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It appears most often in scientific, news, and academic contexts, serving to assert the absence of relationships in discussions ranging from data privacy to causal inferences. When using the phrase, clarity is key to ensure the absence of any implied link. While suitable for various contexts, it presents itself as particularly effective in more formal and neutral communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be associated

Emphasizes the absence of a relationship or connection.

cannot be connected

Highlights the lack of a direct connection or linkage.

cannot be correlated

Focuses on the absence of a statistical relationship.

cannot be tied to

Implies a lack of direct causation or responsibility.

cannot be related

Indicates a general absence of any relation.

are not related

Simple construction to show the absence of connections.

are not associated

A formal way to emphasize there isn't a relationship between two things.

cannot be attributed to

Focuses on the lack of a cause-and-effect relationship.

are independent of

Highlights the lack of dependence between two entities.

do not correspond

Emphasizes the lack of agreement or matching between two items.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be linked" to indicate a lack of association or relationship between two or more things. For example: "The data "cannot be linked" to patient demographic data."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be linked"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be associated", "cannot be connected", or "cannot be related" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "cannot be linked" or "is not linked"?

"Cannot be linked" implies an inherent inability to establish a connection, while "is not linked" simply states that a connection has not been made. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing impossibility or simply the absence of a current connection.

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

It means there is no demonstrable or logical connection between two or more items, concepts, or pieces of information. It suggests an absence of any relationship or correlation.