cannot be referred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be referred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is not able to be mentioned or cited in a particular context. Example: "The document is confidential and cannot be referred to in any public discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Interestingly, the sample with the highest amount of nitrogen (14.7 wt. %) cannot be referred to as N-doped graphene since it also contains N-bearing aliphatic moieties.

Carbon

But because he is not a British citizen, Mr. Bloomberg cannot be referred to as "sir" in the common parlance of knighthood.

The New York Times

The Firsts among these, by the fact that they are Firsts, cannot be referred to outside Causes; but all such as depend upon those Firsts may be admitted to derive their Being from them.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If the problem is not one of maladministration (and therefore cannot be referred to the ombudsman), but you are unhappy with the review panel's recommendations, or with the decision of the local authority after its reconsideration of your case in the light of the panel's recommendations, you can try writing to your local councillor and/or your MP.

The Guardian

Note that although GTEx tissue donors cannot be referred to as "healthy" as they comprise a broad range of non-cancer disease processes, which led to death24, we designate them as such in this study to connote that none of the donors were diagnosed with cancer.

Nature

Therefore, since there are many senses in which a thing is said to be one, these terms also will have many senses, but yet it belongs to one science to know them all; for a term belongs to different sciences not if it has different senses, but if it has not one meaning and its definitions cannot be referred to one central meaning.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Mr. Griffiths cannot be referring to the Catholicism of Cardinal John Henry Newman, St. Thomas Acquinas, Jacques Maritain, G. K. Chesterton or Teilhard de Chardin.

The New York Times - Arts

Those who cannot are referred to the second tier (secondary health care, or the referral services) for the opinion of a consultant with specialized knowledge or for X-ray examinations and special tests.

Britannica

It's an event that cannot legally be referred to without the use of his many catchphrases: "Jim's back.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

As Bill Kovach, curator of the Nieman Foundation, points out, the kind of synergy Ms. Brown has described cannot accurately be referred to as journalism because it perverts the raison d'etre and intellectual process of newsgathering.

The New York Times

'To attribute an event to design is to say that it cannot plausibly be referred to either law or chance.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be referred" when you want to clearly state that something should not be mentioned or used in a specific context due to its irrelevance, confidentiality, or inappropriateness.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be referred" when a more direct or simpler phrase like "should not be mentioned" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be referred" functions as a passive construction expressing prohibition or restriction. It indicates that a subject is not permitted or appropriate for mention or citation within a given context, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be referred" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating that something should not be mentioned or cited in a particular context. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently found in scientific, news, and academic sources. While simpler alternatives like "cannot be mentioned" or "should not be cited" may sometimes be more appropriate, "cannot be referred" serves a valuable function in clearly excluding specific items from consideration, especially in formal writing. Remember to use "cannot be referred" when you want to explicitly prevent something from being mentioned due to its irrelevance, confidentiality, or inappropriateness. Avoiding overuse in informal settings is a good practice to maintain a natural writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be mentioned

Replaces 'referred' with a more general term, focusing on the act of mentioning.

cannot be cited

Focuses on the inability to use something as evidence or support.

cannot be linked

Highlights the absence of a connection or association.

cannot be associated

Emphasizes the lack of a relationship or connection between two things.

cannot be attributed

Focuses on the inability to assign a quality or characteristic to something.

cannot be connected

Similar to 'linked', but can imply a more direct or causal relationship.

cannot be related

A more general term indicating a lack of relationship or relevance.

cannot be tied

Implies that there is no direct or binding link between items.

cannot be ascribed

Similar to 'attributed', but often used in more formal or academic contexts.

cannot be designated

Focuses on the inability to name or formally identify something.

FAQs

What does "cannot be referred" mean?

The phrase "cannot be referred" means that something should not be mentioned, cited, or connected to a particular subject or situation. It implies that the item is irrelevant, inappropriate, or confidential in that context.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be referred" in writing?

Use "cannot be referred" when you need to explicitly state that a specific item or piece of information should not be mentioned or considered in a certain context. This is often due to confidentiality, irrelevance, or inaccuracy.

Are there simpler alternatives to "cannot be referred"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use simpler alternatives such as "cannot be mentioned", "should not be cited", or "is not relevant".

How does "cannot be referred" differ from "cannot be associated"?

"Cannot be referred" implies a prohibition against mentioning something, while "cannot be associated" indicates that there is no logical or factual connection between two things. The choice depends on whether you're preventing a mention or denying a relationship.