cannot be measured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be measured" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing concepts, qualities, or phenomena that are abstract or subjective and cannot be quantified. Example: "The impact of love on a person's happiness cannot be measured by any standard metrics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The loss cannot be measured.

The New York Times - Travel

That cost cannot be measured.

The New York Times

Acceleration cannot be measured directly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In truth it cannot be measured".

The New York Times

Culture cannot be measured by ratings".

The New York Times

Exeter are renowned themselves for qualities that cannot be measured.

The Guardian - Sport

Politicians like fairness because it cannot be measured.

The Guardian - Opinion

And these cannot be measured by simply running the numbers.

The New York Times

That which cannot be measured is viewed with suspicion.

The Guardian

The Judge's legacy cannot be measured alone by career achievements.

The New York Times

The costs of that exposure cannot be measured in dollars.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be measured" when discussing abstract concepts like love, happiness, or impact, where standard metrics are insufficient. This emphasizes the qualitative nature of the subject.

Common error

Avoid stating that something "cannot be measured" without explaining why. Provide context to highlight the limitations of quantitative assessments and suggest alternative qualitative perspectives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be measured" functions primarily as a predicate adjective, indicating a quality or characteristic of a subject that prevents it from being quantified. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

39%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Huffington Post

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be measured" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression across diverse contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to indicate the impossibility or inadequacy of quantifying a particular subject, often due to its abstract or subjective nature. While it appears most commonly in News & Media and scientific publications, as Ludwig AI's analysis show, the phrase is generally neutral to formal in register. When using this phrase, ensure to provide context and alternatives if necessary, such as "cannot be quantified" or "is immeasurable", depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be quantified

Focuses on the lack of numerical or precise assessment.

is immeasurable

Emphasizes the vastness or limitlessness, rendering measurement impractical.

cannot be accurately assessed

Highlights the difficulty in achieving a precise evaluation.

defies quantification

Suggests the concept actively resists being turned into numbers.

is beyond calculation

Implies the scale or nature exceeds computational abilities.

is not easily quantifiable

Highlights that even if possible, quantification would be complex and difficult.

cannot be objectively evaluated

Focuses on the subjective nature of the assessment, lacking impartiality.

escapes precise definition

Indicates the concept is too nuanced or abstract for a clear boundary.

is hard to gauge

Suggests difficulty in forming an accurate estimation or judgment.

is not susceptible to measurement

Emphasizes the inherent resistance of the concept to being measured by any standard means.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "cannot be measured"?

The phrase "cannot be measured" is appropriate when discussing abstract or subjective concepts that lack standard quantitative metrics. For example, the impact of a mentor /s/mentor on someone's life cannot be measured in monetary terms.

What are some alternatives to "cannot be measured"?

Alternatives include phrases like "cannot be quantified", "is immeasurable", or "cannot be accurately assessed", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "cannot be measured"?

Yes, "cannot be measured" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. It is appropriate for describing something that is impossible or very difficult to quantify.

What is the difference between "cannot be measured" and "cannot be estimated"?

"Cannot be measured" implies an inherent inability to quantify something, while "cannot be estimated" suggests that while quantification might be theoretically possible, it's too difficult or unreliable to make an informed guess.