cannot be revealed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be revealed" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to express that something cannot be made known or disclosed. Example: "The confidential information regarding the company's new product cannot be revealed at this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The resources used to monitor these facilities cannot be revealed, says a former Western naval chief.

The Economist

The rape resulted in a pregnancy which was dangerous to her health, medical experts said, given her suspected epilepsy and another medical condition which cannot be revealed.

The Guardian

Stradivari dealers tend to dismiss such findings, suggesting that the resources of a great instrument cannot be revealed under testing conditions.

The New Yorker

The author helped to organize the all-female effort, which received its funding from a benefactor whose identity cannot be revealed.

The New Yorker

The evidence for nerve-gas production is said to lie in soil samples, but it cannot be revealed because that would put intelligence sources in jeopardy.

The Economist

(The novel's most enjoyable meta-­moment comes when Marlowe, for reasons that cannot be revealed here, quotes the first few sentences of "Lolita").

The New York Times - Books

Ms Cox described the toddler, whose gender cannot be revealed because of reporting restrictions by the court, as "bubbly and bright".

Independent

The formula by which the payment for cartoons is determined has since been changed, but cannot be revealed, as it is considered a proprietary trade secret.

The New Yorker

I love books with a secret… something hidden beneath the web of words that cannot be revealed until the very end, the ultimate twist in the tail of a story.

The Guardian

He was recently convicted at a separate court martial, the details of which cannot be revealed because of reporting restrictions imposed by Judge Advocate Michael Hunter who is also sitting on the current panel.

The Guardian

She said the military has a video showing the strike hitting the militants away from populated areas, but the military will not release it because its source cannot be revealed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be revealed" to indicate confidentiality due to legal, ethical, or security concerns. Ensure context clarifies the reason for nondisclosure.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be revealed" excessively without a valid reason. Overusing this phrase can make your writing seem evasive or suspicious. Provide a brief explanation if possible, such as "for legal reasons" or "to protect privacy."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be revealed" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating an inability or prohibition against disclosing specific information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be revealed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that specific information is confidential or restricted from disclosure. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in news, scientific, and formal contexts. When using "cannot be revealed", ensure the context clarifies the reason for nondisclosure to avoid ambiguity or suspicion. Alternatives like ""cannot be disclosed"" or ""must remain confidential"" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be disclosed

Replaces "revealed" with "disclosed", implying a formal prohibition against making something known.

must remain confidential

Shifts the emphasis to the obligation to keep information secret.

is not for public knowledge

Highlights that information should not be available to the general public.

is withheld from disclosure

Emphasizes the act of intentionally keeping something secret.

is not available to share

Indicates that sharing the information is not permissible or possible.

cannot be made public

Focuses on the inability to release information to a broader audience.

details are restricted

Highlights that the information has limitations of access.

information is protected

Emphasizes the safeguarding of the secret.

subject to nondisclosure

Focuses on the legal or ethical constraints of disclosure.

details are classified

Highlights that the information is officially designated as secret.

FAQs

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

"Cannot be revealed" indicates that certain information is confidential or restricted from being disclosed. For example, "The source of the information "cannot be revealed" to protect their identity".

What are some alternatives to "cannot be revealed"?

Alternatives include "cannot be disclosed", "must remain confidential", or "is not for public knowledge", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "cannot be revealed" or "can't be revealed"?

Both "cannot be revealed" and "can't be revealed" are grammatically correct. "Cannot" is more formal, while "can't" is a contraction and is more informal.

What does it mean when something "cannot be revealed for legal reasons"?

When information "cannot be revealed for legal reasons", it means that disclosing the information would violate a law, regulation, or court order. For instance, the details of a sealed court case "cannot be revealed" due to a protective order.