cannot be negative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be negative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express that a value, quantity, or result must be zero or positive, such as in mathematics or finance. Example: "In this equation, the variable x cannot be negative, as it represents a physical quantity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

As the rainfall intensity cannot be negative, another prior knowledge about u t is the non-negativity of the rainfall field.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

This potential either increases or decreases with each successive operation, but cannot be negative.

Cornell University

The negative root is meaningless because concentration cannot be negative, so you pick the positive root.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Falling prices mean that real interest rates cannot be negative when required to reflate a sick economy.

The Economist

Distributions are skewed, especially if the values under investigation cannot be negative, the mean are low and the variances are large.

Structures

It includes three-year limits on the debt to GDP ratio and a requirement that the primary budget balance cannot be negative.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

So this means that option 1 is not valid and λ cannot be a negative value.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

In reality, there cannot be a negative distance to a maize plant as a pollen source, which leads to inconsistencies.

Environmental Sciences Europe

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who met two envoys of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in Moscow, said the answer "cannot be called negative".

BBC

Therefore, as density of transmitting nodes cannot be a negative number, transmission capacity with noise can be redefined as follows C D T = 0, if q - 1 ≤ 0 R q - 1 ( 1 - ε ), if q - 1 > 0 ( bps/Hz/ m 2 ).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Follow Mike Diver on Thatter.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing technical documentation or mathematical proofs, use "must be non-negative" for conciseness and clarity.

Common error

Ensure you accurately reflect the mathematical constraint. "Cannot be negative" includes zero, while "must be positive" excludes zero. Use the appropriate phrase based on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be negative" primarily functions as a constraint or a rule, indicating a restriction on possible values. As shown in Ludwig, this constraint frequently appears when describing physical quantities or mathematical variables where negative values are not permissible. The Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

14%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be negative" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that a value must be zero or positive. As confirmed by Ludwig, this constraint is used across a variety of domains, particularly in science, news, and academia. It's crucial to distinguish between "cannot be negative" (which includes zero) and "must be positive" (which excludes zero). When clarity and precision are required, especially in technical writing, it's advisable to use the more formal "must be non-negative". Alternatives like "must be non-negative" or "cannot be less than zero" can also be employed to better fit the context. Ultimately, selecting the correct phrase hinges on the specific limitations you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be non-negative

Replaces "cannot be negative" with a more formal, mathematically oriented expression.

must be zero or positive

Explicitly states the two allowable conditions, providing clarity.

cannot be less than zero

Rephrases the constraint by specifying the lower bound.

should not be negative

Conveys a recommendation or expectation rather than a strict restriction.

is always positive or zero

Emphasizes the consistent nature of the constraint.

is restricted to positive values

Focuses on the restriction to positive values, excluding negative values.

has a minimum value of zero

Highlights the lower bound of the acceptable values.

is bounded below by zero

Uses mathematical terminology to define the lower limit.

is positive semidefinite

Employs a more technical term implying non-negativity in a specific mathematical context.

values must be greater or equal to zero

Highlights that the value has to be greater or equal to zero

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be negative" when referring to quantities, values, or results that must be zero or positive. This is common in mathematics, physics, economics, and other fields where negative values are not physically or logically possible.

What are some alternatives to saying "cannot be negative"?

You can use alternatives like "must be non-negative", "must be zero or positive", or "cannot be less than zero" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "cannot be negative" and "must be positive"?

Yes, "cannot be negative" includes zero as a possible value, whereas "must be positive" implies that the value must be greater than zero. Zero is allowed when using "cannot be negative" but not with "must be positive".

How does the context influence the choice of "cannot be negative" versus other similar phrases?

The context dictates the appropriate choice. For example, in formal mathematical contexts, "must be non-negative" is common. In general explanations, "cannot be less than zero" might be clearer. Choose the phrase that best fits the audience and technical level.