cannot be right

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be right" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing doubt or disagreement about the correctness of something. Example: "The calculations you provided cannot be right; they don't add up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But this cannot be right, for two obvious reasons.

The New York Times

This cannot be right.

SEP

Such disparity cannot be right.

Independent

Both charges cannot be right.

The Economist

DOENITZ: That cannot be right.

Yale University

"This cannot be right," Mr. Duffy said.

The New York Times

But this cannot be right.

The Guardian - Opinion

This surely cannot be right.

The Guardian

And that cannot be right.

The Guardian - Sport

This simply cannot be right.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

That cannot be right, and it must end.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be right" to express disagreement or doubt, especially when pointing out inconsistencies or improbabilities in a statement or situation.

Common error

While acceptable, in highly formal writing, consider using more precise and nuanced alternatives like "must be incorrect" or "is likely mistaken" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be right" functions as an evaluative expression, used to dispute the veracity or accuracy of a statement or situation. It implies a disagreement based on evidence or reasoning. Ludwig AI examples show its widespread use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

24%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be right" is a commonly used phrase to express disagreement or disbelief about the accuracy of something. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and widely accepted across various domains, particularly in news and media, science, and academic writing. While suitable for many contexts, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain settings. When using this phrase, ensure you are pointing out a genuine inconsistency or improbability, contributing meaningfully to the discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be wrong

Indicates a stronger sense of conviction that something is incorrect.

cannot be correct

Uses a more formal synonym for "right", implying something is factually inaccurate.

is definitely wrong

Emphasizes the certainty of the incorrectness.

is surely mistaken

Suggests a polite form of disagreement, implying an error has been made.

is simply not true

Directly contradicts a statement, asserting its falsehood.

is patently false

Highlights the obvious nature of the falsehood.

that's not quite right

Offers a gentler way of pointing out an error, suggesting a minor inaccuracy.

that's highly unlikely

Indicates disbelief and implies a low probability of being accurate.

I doubt that's correct

Expresses personal skepticism about the accuracy of something.

that seems improbable

Suggests that something is not likely to be true or accurate.

FAQs

How to use "cannot be right" in a sentence?

Use "cannot be right" to express disagreement or disbelief, as in "That calculation "cannot be right"; the numbers don't add up".

What can I say instead of "cannot be right"?

You can use alternatives like "must be wrong", "cannot be correct", or "is definitely wrong" depending on the context.

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

"Cannot be right" and "can't be right" are both grammatically correct, but "cannot be right" is slightly more formal. "Can't" is simply a contraction of "cannot".

What's the difference between "cannot be right" and "may not be right"?

"Cannot be right" implies a stronger sense of disagreement or certainty that something is incorrect, while "may not be right" suggests uncertainty or a possibility of being incorrect.