cannot be on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not allowed or not possible in a specific context. Example: "The device cannot be on while charging to prevent overheating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A Pokéstop cannot be "on private property".

The Guardian - Tech

"Immediately we thought, O.K., we cannot be on one side of the war," Strada told me recently.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Pakistan cannot be on one border saying 'We are against terrorism' and on the other border saying that 'We support terrorism,' " a senior Indian diplomat said.

The New York Times

Still, before diving into Banff powder, certain matters must first be disposed of — where to sleep, for instance, during those awful hours when one cannot be on a mountain.

The New York Times - Travel

Because so many religions make claims to exclusive truth, not all of them can be correct, leading the Manichaeans among us to conclude that those who are on one side cannot be on the other.

The New York Times - Books

For instance, one stone cannot be on top of another stone unless the two stones exist at the same time, and a cause cannot bring about its effect unless the two are proximate.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

In the simplest terms, whenever the captain is on one island, she cannot be on another.

Huffington Post

Under the agreement, throughout training camp, players cannot be on the field for more than four hours a day; only one practice a day can be in pads, and it is restricted to three hours or less, then a three-hour break; and players get one day off a week.

The New York Times - Sports

"We cannot be on the bleeding edge.

The New York Times

The onus cannot be on women and girls to try to control male lust.

The Guardian - Opinion

You cannot be on site long before hearing about the weekly all-staff meetings.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be on" to clearly state prohibitions or impossibilities related to locations, states, or platforms. For instance, "A device cannot be on during takeoff."

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be on" in very informal settings where simpler alternatives like "isn't allowed" or "shouldn't be" are more appropriate. Overuse can make your writing sound overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be on" functions as a restrictive or prohibitive expression, indicating that something is not allowed or is impossible in a specific state, location, or platform. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

9%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be on" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to indicate that something is prohibited or impossible in a particular context. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its frequent appearance in News & Media and Science. While adaptable to various settings, it aligns best with neutral to formal registers. When considering alternatives, options like "is not permitted on" or "must not be located on" can provide similar restrictive meanings while adapting the tone to fit the specific context. Remember to use "cannot be on" to clearly and directly communicate rules or limitations, avoiding overuse in casual conversation to maintain appropriate formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not permitted on

Replaces "cannot be" with "is not permitted", emphasizing a lack of permission.

is disallowed on

Directly states that something is not allowed.

is prohibited from being on

Uses "is prohibited" to indicate a formal ban or restriction.

must not be located on

Emphasizes a requirement for something not to be in a specific location.

should not be present on

Suggests that something's presence is undesirable or discouraged.

is restricted from being on

Highlights a restriction on the possibility of being in a state or location.

is ineligible to be on

Indicates a lack of eligibility or qualification to be in a specific state.

may not be situated on

Replaces "cannot" with "may not", indicating possibility or permission aspect.

is out of bounds for

Uses a sports metaphor to imply that something is beyond acceptable limits.

is excluded from

Emphasizes the act of excluding something from a place or state.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be on" to indicate something is prohibited, restricted, or impossible in a particular context. For example, "The equipment cannot be on without authorization."

What can I say instead of "cannot be on"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is not permitted on", "is prohibited from being on", or "must not be located on" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "cannot be on" in formal writing?

Yes, "cannot be on" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when stating rules, regulations, or restrictions. Its use provides clarity and precision in such contexts.

What's the difference between "cannot be on" and "should not be on"?

"Cannot be on" implies a strict prohibition or impossibility, whereas "should not be present on" suggests that something is undesirable but not strictly forbidden. The former is a stronger statement than the latter.