cannot be secure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be secure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something lacks security or safety, often in contexts related to technology, data, or personal safety. Example: "Without proper encryption, the data transmitted over the network cannot be secure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Israel cannot be secure alongside a securely independent Palestinian state.

The New York Times

"Clinton believed that America cannot be secure without a democratic Russia," says Ms Shevtsova.

The Economist

But somebody wants to demonstrate that even the most honest large-scale business cannot be secure".

The New York Times

But public confidence based on belief in the acumen of one 74-year-old man cannot be secure.

The New York Times

He rouses nativist crowds by fretting that America cannot be secure unless it is self-sufficient in food, energy and military hardware.

The Economist

But the giant needs to work with others: "No matter how powerful we are," he concluded, "we cannot be secure on our own".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

As the most vulnerable segment of human society, children have a particular stake in sustained economic growth and alleviation of poverty, without which their well-being cannot be secured.

Unicef

Due to the lack of centralized services in self-organized systems, vehicular ad hoc networks cannot be secured by the existing security solutions [21].

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

compliance with such section cannot be secured by voluntary means.

Cornell University

For this reason the autothermal operation of the SOFC reactor cannot be secured.

Chemical Engineering Science

He concluded his speech this way, "When communications cannot be secured, it can lead to death".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In political or social contexts, clarify the conditions or factors preventing something from being secure (e.g. "a nation cannot be secure without addressing economic inequality").

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be secure" in situations where relative security is possible. Instead of saying "this system cannot be secure", consider "this system's security is difficult to guarantee" to acknowledge potential mitigation strategies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be secure" functions as a modal phrase expressing an impossibility or a high degree of improbability regarding the attainment of security. It highlights a limitation or deficiency in achieving a state of safety or protection. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, reinforcing this function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be secure" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote the impossibility of guaranteeing safety or protection. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability across diverse contexts such as news, academia, and science. While alternatives like "is not safe" or "lacks security" exist, "cannot be secure" effectively conveys a sense of inherent vulnerability or unavoidable risk. When using the phrase, it's crucial to specify the factors preventing security and to avoid overstating security absolutes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not safe

Replaces the modal "cannot be" with a simple present tense "is not" maintaining a similar level of formality.

is not protected

Emphasizes the lack of protection rather than inherent security, shifting the focus slightly.

cannot be guaranteed safe

Adds "guaranteed" to emphasize the lack of assurance of safety.

is vulnerable

Highlights the state of being susceptible to harm or attack.

lacks security

Uses the noun form "security" to express the absence of safety measures.

is not immune

Implies a lack of resistance to potential threats or vulnerabilities.

is at risk

Indicates a potential for danger or harm.

is exposed

Suggests openness to potential threats or dangers.

is indefensible

Highlights the inability to protect against attacks or threats.

is in peril

Emphasizes a state of serious and immediate danger.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be secure" to express the impossibility of ensuring safety or protection. For example, "Without proper encryption, data transmission "cannot be secure"".

What are some alternatives to "cannot be secure"?

You can use phrases like "is not safe", "is vulnerable", or "lacks security" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "cannot be secure" or "cannot be secured"?

"Cannot be secure" describes a state of lacking safety. "Cannot be secured" implies that an action to make something safe is not possible. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What does it mean when something "cannot be secure"?

It means that, under the given circumstances or without specific interventions, safety or protection "cannot be assured".