cannot be remembered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be remembered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is difficult to recall or has been forgotten. Example: "The details of that event are so vague that they cannot be remembered clearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

A plan is never fully organized, and the part that is organized cannot be remembered long enough to be performed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Still, Mr. Sitez added, if Mr. Karzai cannot be remembered as a hero, "he would like to be remembered as a victim of a crowd of international strategies".

The New York Times

However, many instructions are written; sometimes everything cannot be remembered and so people should be given the knowledge and understanding they need to handle situations not covered in the instructions.

What Went Wrong? Case Histories of Process Plant Disasters and How They Could Hare Been Avoided

I recently read James Salter's wonderful novel, "Light Years," and I was struck by his observation, of a family afternoon at the beach with a seven-year-old and a nine-year-old: "These years are endless, but they cannot be remembered".

The New York Times

And to know that even that which cannot be remembered with the mind is never completely lost.

HuffPost

In the three months since the end of "The Impossible Astronaut", the Doctor, Amy, Rory and River Song have been attempting to track the Silence, an alien race who cannot be remembered after they are encountered.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

You cannot only be remembered by scoring goals, you want to be remembered by winning trophies.

The Guardian - Sport

But some cases are so great that they cannot help but be remembered.

Huffington Post

The fact that, no matter how many years go by, Arsène will always be remembered: that cannot be said about many people". Wenger's appointment in 1996 was seen as a risk by some - but not by Friar.

The Guardian - Sport

These results may account for findings that information which only undergoes superficial, but not deep processing cannot be explicitly remembered.

Nature

The Holocaust cannot be glibly remembered in passing as a tragic aberration, an extreme and unrepeatable atrocity that happened because millions of people somehow went mad.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "cannot be remembered", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being forgotten and why it is difficult or impossible to recall. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "cannot be remembered" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "can't remember" or "forgot" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be remembered" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something is incapable of being recalled. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and can be used to express the inability to recall information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be remembered" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to describe something that is impossible or difficult to recall. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity and usability in written English. While versatile, it's more common in neutral to formal contexts like news or scientific publications. For less formal settings, simpler alternatives like "can't remember" are more appropriate. Understanding the nuances of "cannot be remembered" helps writers choose the most effective phrasing to convey their intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be recalled

Replaces "remembered" with "recalled", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning, simply shifting the verb.

cannot be recollected

Uses "recollected" instead of "remembered", indicating a more deliberate effort to bring something back to mind, making it slightly more formal.

cannot be brought to mind

Replaces the passive voice with an active construction focusing on the act of remembering, slightly changing the emphasis.

is beyond recollection

Shifts the focus to the impossibility of recalling something, using a slightly more dramatic tone.

is lost to memory

Emphasizes the permanent loss of the memory, making it more poetic.

is irretrievable from memory

Highlights the inability to retrieve the information, using more technical or formal language.

fades into oblivion

Suggests a gradual disappearance from memory, adding a sense of time and obscurity.

slips one's mind

An idiomatic expression indicating a failure to remember something, which is less formal.

escapes recollection

Similar to "slips one's mind" but slightly more formal, denoting that something cannot be readily remembered.

cannot be retained in memory

Focuses on the inability to keep the memory, typically used in more scientific or technical contexts.

FAQs

What does "cannot be remembered" mean?

The phrase "cannot be remembered" means something is impossible or very difficult to recall from memory. It suggests the information or event has been forgotten or is irretrievable.

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

You can use "cannot be remembered" in a sentence like this: "The details of the accident are so hazy that they "cannot be recalled" clearly." or "The specific year the law was enacted "is lost to memory" now."

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

Alternatives include phrases like ""cannot be recalled"", "is beyond recollection", or simply "forgotten", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "cannot be remembered" formal or informal?

"Cannot be remembered" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "can't remember" or "forgotten" might be more appropriate.