cannot be sailed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be sailed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a boat, ship, or any vessel that is unable to be navigated or operated on water. Example: "Due to the severe weather conditions, the ship cannot be sailed until the storm passes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The boat which broke up cannot be sailed and will need time to repair, a process which may be hampered if reports that its second boat, the one it intended to campaign, suffered some damage in transit from Sweden.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The House passed a version of this bill and, in the wake of the Enron affair, pensions reform is likely to sail through.That cannot be said for five other bills, though all have passed both House and Senate.

The Economist

Wainwright's fastball was sailing.

The New York Times - Sports

He was sailing.

The Guardian - Music

But it's sailing.

The New York Times

We were sailing.

The Guardian - Music

The answer is sailing.

The Guardian - Sport

"The ship is sailing.

The New York Times

As was sailing, shared with Clare.

The New York Times

Margerison's hobby was sailing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They've been sailing too.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be sailed", ensure the reason for the inability to sail is clear to the reader. This adds clarity and context to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be sailed" in overly simplistic sentences where a more direct adjective like "unsailable" or "unfit" would be more concise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be sailed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is unable to be acted upon by sailing. This is based on Ludwig examples and the general structure of passive voice in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be sailed" is a grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to express the impossibility of sailing a vessel. While Ludwig indicates its usage is relatively rare, it is suitable for formal or neutral contexts, particularly in news and media. Alternative phrases like "unsailable" or "unfit for sailing" may offer more concise options in certain situations. When using "cannot be sailed", ensure the reason for the inability to sail is evident for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsailable

A single word adjective directly describing something that cannot be sailed on.

unfit for sailing

Focuses on the condition preventing sailing.

cannot be navigated

Emphasizes the inability to steer or guide a vessel.

impossible to sail

Highlights the impossibility of the action.

not navigable

Describes a condition of being unsuitable for navigation.

unsafe to sail

Highlights safety concerns preventing sailing.

cannot be used for sailing

Focuses on the intended use.

out of commission

Indicates the vessel is temporarily or permanently unable to be sailed.

unseaworthy

Describes a vessel not in a fit state for a sea voyage.

inoperable for sailing

Technical term stressing functionality.

FAQs

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

You can use "cannot be sailed" to describe a boat or a ship that is damaged or in a condition that prevents it from being used on the water. For example: "The boat which broke up "cannot be sailed" and will need time to repair."

What's a good alternative for "cannot be sailed"?

Alternatives include "unsailable", "unfit for sailing", or "not navigable" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be sailed" over simpler alternatives?

Use "cannot be sailed" when you want to emphasize the action of sailing and the inability to perform it, rather than simply describing the state of the vessel. It's useful for adding a touch of formality or technical precision to your writing.

Is "cannot be sailed" grammatically correct?

Yes, "cannot be sailed" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of a passive verb phrase, where 'cannot' indicates impossibility and 'be sailed' is the passive form of the verb.