cannot be shut out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be shut out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something or someone cannot be excluded or ignored from a situation or discussion. Example: "The truth cannot be shut out, no matter how hard we try to avoid it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

We cannot be shut out of these markets.

The New York Times

In future diplomacy Hamas may emerge as an actor that cannot be shut out even by Israel and America.Meanwhile, Israel's hardliners will draw the opposite conclusions.

The Economist

In Virginia, Democrats could make the case that their party cannot be shut out of a state where in 1997 Republicans won control of all branches of government for the first time since Reconstruction.

The New York Times

Thus religion, he said, cannot be shut out of a body like the United Nations, which he said aims at "a social order respectful of the dignity and rights of the person".

The New York Times

Somehow, and this is his magical gift, he tempers cynicism and outrage with compassion and affirmation so intense it cannot be shut out, no matter how horribly people violate codes of honor.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Mr Nikolic will be shut out of decision-making circles.

The Economist

The country's fragility lies in the fact that it cannot fund itself and is shut out of international bond markets.

The Guardian - Opinion

The resilience, creativity and poise we possess by way of what we have been through are things that cannot be taught, yet we are shut out of an industry because we do not possess the skills that can be taught.

TechCrunch

Such attacks cannot easily be stopped, experts say, because those servers cannot be shut off without halting the Internet.

The New York Times - Tech

His eyes are open now, and cannot be shut.

Vice

That way, the government cannot be shut down.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "cannot be shut out" to emphasize the necessity of including something or someone in a discussion, plan, or process, often because excluding them would be detrimental or impossible.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be shut out" in overly casual or informal settings, as it can sound overly formal or dramatic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "can't be left out" or "must be included" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be shut out" functions as a passive construction indicating something or someone that must be included or considered, emphasizing its indispensability. Ludwig AI shows this is frequently used in contexts where exclusion is impossible or detrimental.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be shut out" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to emphasize the necessity of including or considering something. Ludwig AI's analysis shows that while relatively rare, it is found in reliable sources like the New York Times and The Economist, primarily within news and media contexts. While the phrase is grammatically sound, you need to avoid to use it in casual conversation. Alternatives such as "cannot be excluded" or "must be included" can offer similar meanings with slight adjustments in tone or emphasis, providing flexibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be excluded

Emphasizes the inability to keep something or someone out.

cannot be ignored

Highlights the necessity of paying attention to something.

must be included

Stresses the obligation or requirement to incorporate something.

cannot be avoided

Focuses on the inevitability of encountering something.

cannot be bypassed

Indicates that a step or process must be followed.

cannot be omitted

Highlights the importance of not leaving something out.

is indispensable

Emphasizes the critical necessity of something.

is unavoidable

Focuses on the certainty of something happening.

cannot be suppressed

Highlights the inability to prevent something from being known or expressed.

cannot be dismissed

Indicates that something should not be lightly rejected or disregarded.

FAQs

What does "cannot be shut out" mean?

The phrase "cannot be shut out" means something or someone must be included and "cannot be excluded" from a situation, discussion, or opportunity.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be shut out"?

It's suitable when emphasizing the importance of inclusion or the impossibility of ignoring something. For a less formal tone, alternatives like "can't be ignored" or "must be included" may be better.

Are there synonyms for "cannot be shut out"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "cannot be ignored", "must be included", or "cannot be avoided" depending on the specific context.

How to use "cannot be shut out" in a sentence?

Example: "In future diplomacy Hamas may emerge as an actor that "cannot be shut out" even by Israel and America" (The Economist). It shows that Hamas's role in diplomacy needs recognition and "cannot be dismissed".