cannot be quantified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be quantified" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing concepts, feelings, or phenomena that are difficult or impossible to measure or express in numerical terms. Example: "The impact of love on our lives cannot be quantified, as it varies greatly from person to person."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the lost history cannot be quantified.

The New York Times

The extent of Bosnia's domestic abuse crisis cannot be quantified.

The Guardian

True, democracy cannot be quantified like public borrowing.

The Economist

The costs to our national security cannot be quantified.

The Economist

But there could be an X-factor to the terrorist personality, something that cannot be quantified.

The New York Times

But perhaps the biggest problems facing Hershey cannot be quantified by dollar figures.

The New York Times

Many readers have protested that the value of thinkers like Isaac Rosenfeld cannot be quantified.

The New York Times - Books

What is most disturbing is that the effect of many asserted improprieties cannot be quantified.

The New York Times

And "Desiderio da Settignano: Sculptor of Renaissance Florence" is proof that perfection cannot be quantified.

The New York Times - Arts

Non-monetary contributions are exactly that, non-monetary, and cannot be quantified...

The New York Times

How many deaths are avoided each year by the removal of children from such situations cannot be quantified.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be quantified", ensure the context clearly indicates why the subject is difficult or impossible to measure. Provide specific examples or explanations to enhance understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be quantified" when a rough estimate or qualitative assessment is possible. Acknowledge limitations but don't dismiss all forms of evaluation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be quantified" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject's quality of being immeasurable or impossible to express numerically. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be quantified" is a versatile expression used to denote the inherent difficulty or impossibility of measuring something numerically. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and widely employed across various domains, including news, science, and business. Its strength lies in conveying the subjective or intangible nature of the subject, emphasizing that certain aspects, like feelings or abstract concepts, resist objective measurement. While alternatives like "cannot be measured" or "cannot be assessed" exist, the core message remains: some things simply transcend numerical values.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be measured

Focuses specifically on the lack of ability to obtain a measurement.

cannot be assessed

Emphasizes the inability to evaluate or judge the extent or value.

cannot be evaluated

Highlights the impossibility of determining the significance or worth.

cannot be determined

Stresses the lack of ability to find out or establish something definitively.

cannot be calculated

Specifically refers to the inability to compute a numerical value.

cannot be estimated

Implies an inability to make an approximate calculation or judgment.

defies quantification

Uses a more forceful term to state that something resists being measured.

eludes measurement

Emphasizes that something avoids or escapes being measured.

is immeasurable

Directly states that something is too large or extensive to be measured.

is beyond calculation

Suggests that something is too complex or abstract to be numerically determined.

FAQs

What does "cannot be quantified" mean?

The phrase "cannot be quantified" means that something is impossible or very difficult to measure or express in numerical terms. It's often used for abstract concepts, experiences, or qualities that lack concrete metrics.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "cannot be quantified"?

Use "cannot be quantified" when discussing intangible aspects, such as feelings, abstract values, or complex interactions, where assigning a specific numerical value is not feasible or meaningful.

What are some alternatives to saying "cannot be quantified"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be measured", "cannot be assessed", or "defies quantification" depending on the context.

How does "cannot be quantified" differ from "cannot be measured"?

"Cannot be measured" specifically refers to the lack of ability to obtain a measurement, whereas "cannot be quantified" encompasses a broader sense of being unable to express something in numerical terms or assign a specific quantity. In some contexts, they can be interchangeable.