cannot be reached

USAGE SUMMARY

"cannot be reached" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when an object or person is inaccessible or as an expression of being out of contact. For example, "He cannot be reached as he is on vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

These people cannot be reached," Timilsina said.

The Guardian

When compromises cannot be reached, battles erupt.

The New York Times - Tech

But the phones cannot be reached from outside the Internet.

The New York Times - Tech

The carbon balance cannot be reached duo to the formation of tar and char.

Waste Management

The scale model also covers conditions that cannot be reached in a full-scale boiler.

Powder Technology

If that person cannot be reached, Undergraduate Student Life then reaches out to other authorized contacts.

Columbia University

Naturally then, an illegal position is a position that cannot be reached by a legal game.

Harvard University

Make sure the bags cannot be reached from the ground, either.

Princeton University

There is no reason, with some creativity and goodwill, that an immigration deal cannot be reached.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

A third review author will be consulted in cases in which consensus cannot be reached.

BMJ Open

Even today, the hamlet cannot be reached by public transport.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing locations affected by natural disasters or conflict, use "cannot be reached" to convey the difficulty or impossibility of providing aid or assistance.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be reached" when a more precise term is available. For example, instead of saying "the solution cannot be reached", consider "the solution is unattainable" if you mean it's fundamentally impossible, or "the solution is delayed" if you mean it's just taking a long time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be reached" functions as a passive construction indicating that a subject is inaccessible or uncontactable. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe people, locations, or even abstract goals that are unattainable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be reached" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate inaccessibility or the inability to establish contact. According to Ludwig, the phrase is used in different contexts, spanning from News & Media, to Science and Academia. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules and is widely used across various contexts. When writing, you can use "cannot be reached" to convey the difficulty or impossibility of providing aid or assistance in situations affected by natural disasters or conflicts. Some alternatives, depending on context, are "is unreachable", "is inaccessible", or "out of contact". Make sure you pick the most appropriate alternative based on your needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unreachable

Uses a single adjective to convey the same meaning, emphasizing the state of being impossible to reach.

is inaccessible

Similar to 'unreachable' but can also refer to physical inaccessibility.

unable to make contact with

More verbose, specifying the action of 'making contact'.

out of contact

Focuses on the state of lacking communication.

beyond communication

Suggests a more permanent or extreme lack of contact.

impossible to get in touch with

Emphasizes the difficulty or impossibility of establishing communication.

not able to be contacted

A passive construction expressing the inability to contact.

unable to be accessed

Focuses on the inability to gain access, whether physically or digitally.

is out of range

Implies a limitation in distance or signal preventing contact.

is beyond reach

Emphasizes the idea of something being unattainable or inaccessible, either literally or figuratively.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be reached" to describe a person, place, or thing that is inaccessible or impossible to contact. For example, "The remote village "cannot be reached" due to the heavy snowfall" or "The customer service representative "cannot be reached" after business hours".

What are some alternatives to "cannot be reached"?

Alternatives include "is unreachable", "is inaccessible", "unable to make contact with", or "out of contact", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "can't be reached" instead of "cannot be reached"?

Yes, "can't be reached" is a common contraction of "cannot be reached" and is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts. In more formal writing, it's generally better to use "cannot be reached".

What's the difference between "cannot be reached" and "cannot be accessed"?

"Cannot be reached" generally implies a difficulty or impossibility in making contact, while "cannot be accessed" suggests an inability to gain entry or use something. For example, a person "cannot be reached", while a file or database "cannot be accessed".