cannot be searched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'cannot be searched' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is not possible to search for, such as: "This file cannot be searched in the database."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Image scans cannot be searched.

Yale University

It cannot be searched without permission from Riyadh.

The Guardian

Its big disadvantage is that it cannot be searched easily.

The Economist

Search filtering: a regularly updated list of terms cannot be searched.

The Washington Post

But they do not reside on the open Web, and cannot be searched and linked to one another in the same way Web applications can.

The New York Times

The number of female suicide bombers has increased recently, facilitated by Muslim customs that do not allow men to touch women, so they usually cannot be searched at security checkpoints.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

These data are freely available (http://nmrshiftdb.org) and cannot only be searched but can also be downloaded and used for scientific investigations.

Journal of Cheminformatics

In July, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency also clarified that its policy allowing warrantless border searches is restricted to locally stored data — meaning cloud services cannot be legally searched without a warrant.

TechCrunch

Forms are submitted on paper and cannot be electronically searched.

The Washington Post

Post stories detailed the reporting weaknesses in the disclosure system, which cannot be electronically searched.

The Washington Post

Some officials keep tens of thousands of messages in their e-mail accounts, where they "cannot be efficiently searched," and are not accessible to others.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical limitations, use "cannot be searched" to clearly state that a feature or data is not accessible through search functionalities.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be searched" when you mean that something is difficult to find but not technically unsearchable. Instead, consider using "difficult to locate" or "hard to find".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be searched" functions as a passive construction indicating the impossibility of performing a search on a particular subject or item. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show varied contexts, from image scans to copyrighted materials.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be searched" is a grammatically sound and technically precise way to describe the inability to find something through search functionalities. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is valid and usable in English. Analysis of Ludwig examples shows that it frequently appears in news articles, scientific publications, and academic texts, indicating a neutral to formal register. It's vital to distinguish this term from "cannot be found", because "cannot be searched" specifies a technological limitation to search, whereas "cannot be found" simply notes the absence of the search subject. Mastering this subtle distinction is key to clear and effective communication in specialized contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unsearchable

Replaces the modal verb construction with a simple adjective, conveying direct impossibility of searching.

is unfindable

A direct synonym, indicating that the item simply cannot be found through searching.

cannot be found

Shifts the focus from the action of searching to the result of not finding, implying unavailability.

is not searchable

Uses the negative form of the adjective 'searchable', providing a slightly more formal tone.

is impossible to find

Emphasizes the impossibility of locating the item, highlighting the challenge in searching.

is inaccessible for search

Specifies the reason for being unsearchable by indicating that the item is inaccessible.

remains undiscovered

Implies the item exists but has not yet been found, suggesting a potential for future discovery.

lies beyond the scope of search

Suggests the item is outside the boundaries or limitations of a search process.

defies discovery

Implies a challenge to the act of discovery, suggesting that the item actively resists being found.

escapes detection

Focuses on the evasion of being found, highlighting the difficulty in locating the item.

FAQs

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

You can use "cannot be searched" to describe data or information that is technically impossible to find using search functions. For example, "Image scans "cannot be searched" because they lack indexable text."

What's the difference between "cannot be searched" and "cannot be found"?

"Cannot be searched" implies a technical limitation preventing search, while "cannot be found" suggests the item may exist but is difficult to locate for other reasons. Something that "cannot be searched" is technically unsearchable.

What are some alternatives to "cannot be searched"?

Alternatives include "is unsearchable", "is not searchable", or "cannot be found", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is "cannot be searched" commonly used?

"Cannot be searched" is frequently used in technical documentation, legal contexts, and articles discussing data privacy or limitations of technology. For instance when talking about things that are "impossible to find".