cannot be prevailed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be prevailed" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct expression would typically be "cannot be prevailed upon" or "cannot be prevailed over." Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team cannot be prevailed upon to change their decision."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If, on the other hand, Putin and Assad's other backers cannot be prevailed upon to bring him around — and, sadly, it seems unlikely that they will — then what we will have instead in Syria is a larger and more dangerous war, with unforeseeable consequences.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But it cannot be allowed to prevail.

Independent

Sentiment and tradition cannot be allowed to prevail over fiscal reality.

The New York Times

There may be some validity to some of these arguments, but they cannot be allowed to prevail.

The Guardian - Opinion

"If current trends continue, if current patterns of production and consumption of natural resources prevail and cannot be reversed, then governments will preside over unprecedented levels of damage and degradation".

BBC

Its Executive Director, Achim Steiner, said "If current trends continue, if current patterns of production and consumption of natural resources prevail and cannot be reversed and 'decoupled,' then governments will preside over unprecedented levels of damage and degradation".

Huffington Post

"If current trends continue, if current patterns of production and consumption of natural resources prevail and cannot be reversed and 'decoupled', then governments will preside over unprecedented levels of damage and degradation," Steiner said in a statement.

Huffington Post

Although structurally heterothallic species prevail, it cannot be excluded that homothallism represents the ancestral breeding system in the PAC.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

And we furthermore said and if in such a consultative council consensus cannot be achieved, then the government will prevail and will implement its own policies.

The Guardian

"The chairman of the Republican party must be unwavering in his support for American victory in the war on terror -- a victory that cannot be accomplished if we do not prevail in Afghanistan.

HuffPost

They say, in effect: 'Look at me; I would have been denied birth if your arguments had prevailed.' And it cannot be denied that valuable lives might have been lost through the termination of pregnancies, whatever the reason for the termination.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the correct phrase, "cannot be prevailed upon", when referring to convincing someone. Alternatively, consider using synonyms like "cannot be convinced" or "cannot be persuaded" for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "cannot be prevailed" without the preposition 'upon'. Using it incorrectly can lead to grammatical errors and confusion; instead, opt for more straightforward alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be prevailed" functions as a passive construction, expressing an inability to convince or influence someone. While Ludwig notes its incorrect usage, the intended function is clear. Examples show attempts to convey resistance to persuasion.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be prevailed" is an incorrect construction that should typically be "cannot be prevailed upon" for proper grammar, according to Ludwig. It's intended to communicate the impossibility of convincing or influencing someone. While examples exist across news, science, and academic sources, the low frequency suggests it's not a common expression. Alternative phrases such as "cannot be convinced" or "cannot be persuaded" offer clearer and grammatically sound options. To avoid misuse, always include 'upon' or opt for a synonymous phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be convinced

Focuses on the inability to change someone's belief or opinion.

cannot be persuaded

Highlights the lack of success in influencing someone's actions or decisions.

cannot be influenced

Emphasizes the resistance to external effects on decisions or opinions.

cannot be swayed

Implies an unyielding stance against changing one's mind.

cannot be brought around

Indicates an inability to change someone's perspective to a particular viewpoint.

cannot be won over

Focuses on the failure to gain someone's support or agreement.

cannot be defeated

Emphasizes the resilience and inability to be overcome.

cannot be overcome

Highlights the insurmountable nature of a challenge or obstacle.

cannot be suppressed

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

cannot be stopped

Focuses on the unstoppable nature of an action or event.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use "prevail" in the passive voice?

The correct passive construction is "cannot be prevailed upon", indicating an inability to convince someone. Without "upon", the sentence is grammatically incorrect.

What can I say instead of "cannot be prevailed upon"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be convinced", "cannot be persuaded", or "cannot be influenced" depending on the context.

Is "cannot be prevailed" grammatically correct?

No, "cannot be prevailed" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "cannot be prevailed upon". Using the phrase without "upon" results in an unidiomatic and awkward sentence structure.

How to use "prevail" in a sentence correctly?

Ensure the sentence includes the preposition "upon" when using "prevail" in the passive voice to indicate someone who cannot be convinced. For example: "He "cannot be prevailed upon" to change his mind".