cannot be said for

USAGE SUMMARY

"cannot be said for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something cannot be accurately or truthfully stated about a certain situation or person. It is often used to contrast with something that can be said or known for sure. Here is an example: "The outcome of the election cannot be said for certain, as there are still many votes to be counted." This sentence means that the result of the election cannot be accurately predicted or stated at the current moment, as there is still uncertainty about the votes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The same cannot be said for supply.

The Economist

The same cannot be said for sterling.

Independent

That cannot be said for other consultants.

The New York Times - Magazine

The same cannot be said for Colbert.

The New York Times - Sports

The same cannot be said for Melrose.

The Guardian - Sport

The same cannot be said for others.

The Guardian - Opinion

The same cannot be said for Norwich.

The Guardian - Sport

But this cannot be said for all.

The Guardian - Opinion

That cannot be said for Europe as a whole.

The New York Times

Unfortunately the same cannot be said for his 'supporting' cast".

Independent

The same cannot be said for Robshaw and Lancaster.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be said for" to create a clear contrast between two subjects, highlighting the difference in their attributes or circumstances. Ensure the statement you're contrasting is genuinely accurate for the first subject, so the comparison is meaningful.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be said for" with overly broad or vague subjects. For example, instead of saying "Modern technology is great, but the same cannot be said for society", specify which aspect of society you're referring to for a clearer and more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be said for" functions as a comparative negation. It introduces a contrast by asserting that a statement true for one subject is not true for another. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be said for" is a versatile phrase used to draw a contrast between two subjects, highlighting that what is true of one is not true of the other. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and acceptable expression. It's most commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific writing, and while generally neutral in register, it can be replaced with more formal alternatives in certain academic or professional contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by applying it to specific subjects, and avoid overly vague comparisons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the same is not true of

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing a contrast.

does not hold true for

Highlights that a certain principle or condition is not valid in a specific case.

this is not the case for

Identifies a divergence in facts or reality.

is not the case with

Emphasizes the difference in circumstances or truth between two subjects.

it's not true for

A more direct and simple way of stating that something doesn't hold for a particular subject.

it is not so with

A more concise way of stating the condition differs.

does not apply to

Focuses on the inapplicability of something to a specific subject, rather than a direct comparison.

is not applicable to

Similar to 'does not apply to', but with a slightly more formal tone.

cannot be affirmed for

Emphasizes that something cannot be positively stated or confirmed about a particular subject.

that's not the situation with

Specifies that the circumstances differ between subjects.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot be said for" in a sentence?

Use "cannot be said for" to contrast something true about one subject with something untrue about another. For example, "John is always on time, but the same "cannot be said for" Mary."

What's a more formal way to say "cannot be said for"?

A more formal alternative to "cannot be said for" is "the same does not hold true for" or "this is not the case with". These options are suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is it correct to say "cannot be said of" instead of "cannot be said for"?

While "cannot be said of" might be grammatically correct in some contexts, "cannot be said for" is more commonly used to draw a direct comparison or contrast between two subjects. "Cannot be said of" often implies a general characteristic rather than a comparison.

What can I say instead of "cannot be said for" to express a similar idea?

You can use alternatives like "does not apply to", "is not the case with", or "the same is not true of" to express a similar contrast without using ""cannot be said for"".