cannot be restrained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be restrained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that cannot be held back or controlled, often in a figurative sense. Example: "Her enthusiasm for the project cannot be restrained, and she is eager to share her ideas with the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

If varmint cannot be restrained with tongs and corn-on-the-cob holders, stand on it.

The New Yorker

Speaking from the White House balcony, Lincoln hoped for "a righteous and speedy peace whose joyous expression cannot be restrained".

The New York Times

Snow, too, wants to believe the sheer force of science cannot be restrained, that it will change the world — for the better — without a heavy guiding hand.

The New York Times - Books

But, Mr. Brucker said, the suggestion or belief that a condo owner cannot be restrained by the rules of the condo is totally inaccurate.

The New York Times

But under the authorities cited, such proceedings cannot be restrained by a court of the United States, sitting in equity, and therefore the court below erred in passing the final decree which has been brought here for review.

Cornell University

The nation's highest court, said Vincent Blasi, who holds dual positions at Columbia University and the University of Virginia, has consistently concluded that once information gets out, whether by chance or happenstance, the news media cannot be restrained from publishing it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But it shows that the agency, which was sharply rebuked by a federal judge in 2011 for violating the rules and misleading the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, cannot necessarily be restrained by privacy technology.

The New York Times

She had to be restrained.

The New York Times

Spending must be restrained.

The New York Times

Talib had to be restrained.

The New York Times - Sports

Borel had to be restrained.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be restrained" when describing forces, emotions, or information that inherently resist limitation or control. For example, "The spread of misinformation on social media cannot be restrained."

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be restrained" to describe physical objects or actions that are easily controlled. For example, saying "the door cannot be restrained" is incorrect if a simple latch can secure it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be restrained" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating an inability to control or limit something. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be restrained" effectively conveys the impossibility of controlling or limiting something, whether it be an emotion, a piece of information, or a powerful force. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for a wide range of contexts, particularly in news and media. While "cannot be contained" and other alternatives exist, "cannot be restrained" offers a nuanced way to describe inherent resistance to limitation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be controlled

Emphasizes the lack of ability to manage or direct something's behavior.

cannot be contained

Focuses on the impossibility of keeping something within specific boundaries.

cannot be suppressed

Highlights the failure to prevent something from being expressed or revealed.

cannot be checked

Suggests the impossibility of verifying or limiting the progression of something.

cannot be prevented

Focuses on the inability to stop something from happening.

cannot be stopped

Emphasizes the impossibility of halting the movement or progress of something.

is unstoppable

Highlights the irresistible force or momentum behind something.

cannot be held back

Focuses on the inability to keep something from advancing or progressing.

cannot be subdued

Emphasizes the failure to bring something under control or quiet it.

cannot be governed

Suggests the impossibility of managing or directing a system or entity.

FAQs

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

You can use "cannot be restrained" to describe something that is impossible to control or limit. For example: "The public's enthusiasm for the new product "cannot be restrained"."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be restrained"?

Alternatives to "cannot be restrained" include "cannot be controlled", "cannot be contained", or "unstoppable". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "cannot be restrained" or "cannot be contained"?

Both phrases are valid, but "cannot be restrained" often implies a lack of control over something abstract, like emotions or information, while "cannot be contained" suggests a physical boundary is impossible to maintain.

What's the difference between "cannot be restrained" and "should not be restrained"?

"Cannot be restrained" implies an inability to control, while "should not be restrained" suggests that control is possible but inadvisable. The first is about capability, the second about desirability.