cannot be rebuilt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be rebuilt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is irreparable or cannot be restored to its original state. Example: "After the fire, the old barn was so damaged that it cannot be rebuilt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Without transparency, trust cannot be rebuilt, he argues.

The Economist

"Even the Americans are coming to believe that it cannot be rebuilt.

Independent

There is no logical reason why the Western alliance cannot be rebuilt.

The New York Times

Many of the houses destroyed in the Israeli invasion of Gaza cannot be rebuilt because cement is a banned substance.

The New York Times

A decade of strong sterling has chipped away at the capacity of manufacturing industry—and factories cannot be rebuilt quickly.

The Economist

Already, NASA has lost data from some of its earliest missions to the moon because the machines used to read the tapes were scrapped and cannot be rebuilt.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Confidence in financial markets cannot, after all, be rebuilt if the regulators aren't even in place.Instead, at a brief ceremony at the White House on December 10th, Mr Donaldson was all discretion, beyond voicing the usual platitudes about the need to rebuild investor confidence.

The Economist

"Everything can be rebuilt, but lives cannot be recovered, and that's what hurts the most," Correa told reporters, calling for the country's 16 million inhabitants to remain calm and pull together.

The Guardian

"Everything can be rebuilt, but lives cannot be recovered, and that's what hurts the most," he said.

Vice

Iran's heavy water reactor at Arak will be rebuilt so that it cannot produce weapons-grade plutonium.

Huffington Post

It can be rebuilt.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be rebuilt", ensure the context clearly establishes what is damaged or destroyed and why rebuilding is impossible. This adds clarity and impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be rebuilt" when the situation allows for potential, albeit difficult, restoration. Overstating the impossibility can undermine your credibility if future events prove otherwise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be rebuilt" functions as a passive construction indicating the impossibility of restoring something to its previous state. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is commonly used to describe situations where damage is irreversible. The examples showcase its application in contexts ranging from physical structures to abstract concepts like trust or reputation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be rebuilt" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express the impossibility of restoring something to its former state. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase finds frequent application in news and media, as well as formal business contexts, indicating its neutrality and suitability for professional discourse. While alternatives like "irreparable" or "cannot be restored" exist, "cannot be rebuilt" specifically emphasizes the infeasibility of reconstruction. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the subject of damage and the reasons behind the impossibility of rebuilding to maximize clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irreparable

Highlights the state of being beyond repair or restoration.

cannot be restored

Emphasizes the inability to bring something back to its original condition.

beyond repair

Focuses on the extent of the damage, making restoration unfeasible.

impossible to reconstruct

Highlights the infeasibility of putting something back together.

cannot be salvaged

Focuses on the inability to save or recover something from a damaged state.

irretrievable

Emphasizes the impossibility of recovering or regaining something lost or damaged.

cannot be recovered

Highlights the permanent loss or damage, preventing retrieval.

permanently damaged

Describes a state where damage is irreversible and lasting.

cannot be fixed

A more direct and simple way of stating that something is beyond repair.

unrecoverable

Similar to 'irretrievable', emphasizing the impossibility of regaining something.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be rebuilt" to describe situations where something is permanently damaged or destroyed, making restoration impossible. For example, "After the earthquake, the historic district was so devastated that it "cannot be rebuilt"".

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

Alternatives include "irreparable", "cannot be restored", or "beyond repair" depending on the specific context.

Is it ever appropriate to use "can't be rebuilt" instead of "cannot be rebuilt"?

Yes, "can't be rebuilt" is a contraction of "cannot be rebuilt" and is suitable for informal contexts. "Cannot be rebuilt" is generally preferred in formal writing.

What's the difference between "cannot be rebuilt" and "cannot be repaired"?

"Cannot be rebuilt" typically refers to structures or systems that are completely destroyed or irreparably damaged, while "cannot be repaired" implies damage that prevents functionality but not necessarily complete destruction. Something "cannot be repaired" might still be partially functional or structurally intact.