cannot be ordered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be ordered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not available for purchase or arrangement. Example: "Due to supply chain issues, this item cannot be ordered at this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It cannot be ordered at any restaurant that uses a truffle shaver.

The New York Times - Food

Family relationships cannot be ordered, they cannot be defined in court papers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is a manufacturer and as such cannot be ordered by the government to change the configuration of its equipment.

Stanford University

11 A registrant cannot be ordered to report for induction while his classification is being considered by the local board or by an appeal board.

Cornell University

When dealing with patients, however, they are in a special position; they cannot be ordered by a superior officer to give some treatment or take other action that they believe is wrong.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some of the most tender, brilliant passages in The Signature of All Things come from Alma's well-meaning bafflement at the illogicality of other people's behaviour which cannot be ordered and understood like specimens under a microscope slide can be.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The largest came when he addressed the issue of crime, proclaiming that "there cannot be order in a free society without progress, and there cannot be progress without order".

Wikipedia

"We do not know and cannot say that it was ordered by someone," he said.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such detail is important, but unstructured data cannot be easily ordered, searched and analysed.

Journal of Cheminformatics

The inequality implies, which shows clearly that cannot be the ordered partition.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In the real world, there are many problems in economics, military affairs, ecology, etc. for which the utilities cannot be totally ordered.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be ordered" to clearly communicate that something is unavailable, whether due to legal restrictions, supply issues, or other limitations. It's direct and easily understood.

Common error

While "cannot be ordered" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing seem less direct. Consider rephrasing with an active voice construction where appropriate, if the context and nuance of your message allow for it. Using synonyms like "is not available" can also mitigate passive voice overuse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be ordered" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating the impossibility or unavailability of placing an order for something. Ludwig's examples confirm its use across various contexts to express this inability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be ordered" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express the unavailability of an item or service. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence across news, academic, and scientific contexts. While direct and clear, it can be substituted with alternatives like "is not available" for stylistic variation. When using this phrase, ensure the context aligns with its straightforward tone. Considering stylistic choices, the overusing of passive voice can be avoided. Using synonyms like "is not available" can also mitigate passive voice overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not available

Indicates the item or service is currently unavailable for purchase or request.

cannot be requested

Specifically states that something is not available upon request.

is not obtainable

Highlights the impossibility of acquiring or getting something.

cannot be obtained

Similar to 'is not obtainable' but emphasizes the action of acquiring something.

is prohibited

Emphasizes that something is officially forbidden or not allowed.

is unattainable

Implies that something is impossible to achieve or reach.

is out of stock

Specifically refers to items that are temporarily unavailable due to depleted supply.

is not permitted

Indicates that an action or request is not allowed according to rules or regulations.

is not for sale

Directly indicates that an item is not available for purchase.

is not an option

Suggests that something is not a viable or acceptable choice.

FAQs

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

You can use "cannot be ordered" to indicate something is unavailable for purchase or request, such as: "This item "is not available" and "cannot be ordered" due to supply chain issues."

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

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "is not available for acquisition" or "is not procurable". However, the phrase "cannot be ordered" itself is suitable for many professional contexts.

What does "cannot be ordered" imply?

The phrase "cannot be ordered" typically implies that something is currently unavailable, whether due to logistical reasons, legal restrictions, or other limitations. It states a direct inability to place an order.

Is it ever incorrect to use "cannot be ordered"?

While grammatically correct, "cannot be ordered" might not be appropriate if a softer or more indirect statement is desired. In such cases, consider alternatives like "is temporarily unavailable" or "is not currently available".