cannot be overcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be overcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a situation or challenge that is insurmountable or impossible to defeat. Example: "Despite our best efforts, the obstacles we face in this project cannot be overcome without additional resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hunger cannot be overcome with violence.

The Guardian

Heroin cannot be overcome without an extensive rehabilitation program.

The New York Times

But this polarisation cannot be overcome through compromise.

The Guardian - Opinion

That problem cannot be overcome in two days, he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"In the same way, the historic shortages of the working population cannot be overcome overnight".

The New York Times

There is no challenge that cannot be overcome by a determined Plaid Cymru government".

The Guardian

"Our multitude of crises certainly cannot be overcome all at once," Mrs. Megawati said.

The New York Times

"There are some biological factors that cannot be overcome," Levine said.

The New York Times - Sports

The presumption is declared to be conclusive and cannot be overcome by evidence.

Cornell University

This is the limitation on the legalization process that cannot be overcome.

The Washington Post

A constitutional right, he said, cannot be overcome because it may have negative consequences.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "cannot be overcome", make sure the subject and context clearly define what specific obstacle or challenge is insurmountable to prevent vagueness.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be overcome" when a challenge is difficult but potentially solvable with sufficient resources or effort. Using the phrase in such contexts weakens its meaning and can make your writing sound hyperbolic or unrealistic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be overcome" functions as a declarative statement expressing the impossibility of surpassing or resolving a specific obstacle, challenge, or situation. As seen in Ludwig, the expression is widely used in several contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be overcome" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys the impossibility of surpassing a particular obstacle or challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is typically found in neutral to formal contexts, such as news, scientific, and academic writing. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure that the context accurately reflects an insurmountable situation to avoid overstatement. Alternatives such as "is insurmountable" or "is impossible to defeat" can be used to vary expression while maintaining the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is insurmountable

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adjective indicating an insurmountable challenge.

is impossible to defeat

Replaces the phrase with a more descriptive expression emphasizing the inability to be defeated.

is beyond resolution

Focuses on the lack of a solution or resolution to a problem.

is unmanageable

Suggests the problem or situation is too difficult to handle or control.

is hopeless

Conveys a sense of despair and lack of possibility for improvement.

is unachievable

Highlights the impossibility of reaching a desired goal or outcome.

is a lost cause

Indicates that further effort is futile and will not yield positive results.

is irremediable

Suggests that the situation cannot be fixed or corrected.

defies solution

Emphasizes the resistance of a problem to any attempted solutions.

is more than one can handle

Focuses on the difficulty of dealing with a problem or challenge, stressing how overwhelming it is.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be overcome" to express that a particular obstacle or challenge is insurmountable. For example, "The language barrier "cannot be overcome" without a translator" or "Some biological factors "cannot be overcome"."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be overcome"?

You can use alternatives like "is insurmountable", "is impossible to defeat", or "is beyond resolution" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "cannot be overcome"?

Yes, "cannot be overcome" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice of the verb "overcome" with the modal verb "cannot", indicating an impossibility.

What is the difference between "cannot be overcome" and "can be overcome"?

"Cannot be overcome" indicates that something is impossible to surmount or resolve. In contrast, "can be overcome" suggests that a challenge or obstacle is manageable and solvable.