cannot be pinched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be pinched" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express that something is not able to be grasped or taken hold of physically or metaphorically. Example: "The delicate fabric of the dress cannot be pinched without causing damage to its structure."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I would be pinched and shoved.

The New York Times - Books

"I'll be pinching myself when I do.

BBC

These guys must still be pinching themselves.

Huffington Post

However, the use of graphene for applications in daily-life electronics suffers from a major drawback, i.e. the current in graphene cannot be simply pinched off by means of a gate voltage.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Her smile was pinched.

The New York Times - Magazine

His voice was pinched.

The New Yorker

But her smile is pinched.

The New York Times - Arts

This idea has been pinched from penguins.

The Economist

Her face was pinched, her mouth tight.

The New York Times

Other European airlines are also being pinched.

The New York Times

Plants were pinched 3 weeks after transplanting.

International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be pinched" to describe situations where something is impossible to manipulate or control, either literally or figuratively. For example, 'The truth cannot be pinched to fit a false narrative'.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be pinched" in contexts where a different modal verb or expression would be more appropriate, such as situations requiring 'should not', 'must not', or 'is not allowed'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be pinched" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing impossibility or inability. It's often used to describe a situation where something is resistant to manipulation or control. Ludwig's examples showcase uses across technical and metaphorical contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be pinched" expresses an inability to be grasped, manipulated, or influenced. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The phrase sees usage across a variety of contexts including scientific, news and media. Given its relatively low frequency of occurrence, careful consideration of context is recommended. Related phrases include "cannot be grasped", "cannot be seized" and "cannot be influenced".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be seized

Replaces "pinched" with a more formal verb suggesting taking hold forcefully.

cannot be grasped

Uses a metaphorical sense of grasping, implying difficulty in understanding or controlling.

cannot be influenced

Shifts the focus to a lack of susceptibility to external pressure or manipulation.

cannot be affected

Indicates a resistance to change or impact from something.

cannot be moved

Implies a strong resistance to being displaced or altered.

cannot be dislodged

Suggests something is firmly fixed and difficult to remove.

cannot be budged

Emphasizes stubbornness or unwillingness to change position.

cannot be subjugated

Focuses on the inability to be brought under control or domination.

cannot be dominated

Highlights the resistance to being overpowered or controlled.

cannot be suppressed

Emphasizes the inability to prevent something from being expressed or known.

FAQs

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

"Cannot be pinched" is used to express the inability to be grasped or influenced. For instance, "The current in graphene "cannot be pinched" off by means of a gate voltage" shows a technical application.

What are some alternatives to "cannot be pinched"?

Alternatives include "cannot be grasped", "cannot be seized", or "cannot be influenced", depending on the context. These variations emphasize different aspects of immovability or resistance.

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

It's appropriate when describing something that resists manipulation or control. This might apply to physical objects or abstract concepts that are unyielding.

Is there a difference between "cannot be pinched" and "can't be pinched"?

No, there's no significant difference. "Cannot be pinched" is the full form, while "can't be pinched" is a contraction. Both convey the same meaning, but the contracted form is more informal.