cannot be sought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be sought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is not able to be pursued or requested. Example: "In this situation, help cannot be sought from external sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Such kind of knowledge that can be gained by plotting the efficient frontier cannot be sought by single-objective based optimizations.

Procedia CIRP

Hence "some basis must be found for ethical judgments", but "it is sufficiently obvious that such a basis cannot be sought in any proposition about what is or has been".

SEP

In practice, a structure is subjected to given loads and boundary conditions, and a multitude of stress and strain states may exist in the structure; hence, optimal construction of a laminate in a structure cannot be sought by considering only a limited number of stress resultants in the existence of multiple load cases.

Composites Part B: Engineering

In a section of Beyond Good and Evil, Nietzsche once again answers the question, "What is noble?", this time as follows: "It is not the works, it is the faith that is decisive here, that determines the order of rank…: some fundamental certainty that a noble soul has about itself, something that cannot be sought, nor found, nor perhaps lost.

SEP

They will make a recommendation, but a grand jury cannot be empaneled and an indictment cannot be sought without the permission of the politicals.

Vice

According to Danish law ethical approval cannot be sought for registry studies.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"You cannot be seeking yourself when you're making money," he says.

The Guardian - Books

"The grief and loss to her family and friends caused by her death cannot and should not be sought in any way to be expiated by the sentence I pass today".

Independent

When experiments cannot be conducted, falsification can be sought through the formulation of "risky predictions," or else through corroborating evidence, that is the accumulation of "many independent lines of evidence that point out to the same conclusion" (p. 113), making scientific research similar to forensic police stories.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Even those fellowships that are specifically targeted at female entrepreneurs, for example cannot be sought before application.

The Economist

Will LEED certification be sought?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be sought" when emphasizing that something is fundamentally unattainable through effort or direct action. It often implies a deeper, inherent limitation.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be sought" when a simpler term like "cannot be found" or "cannot be requested" more accurately reflects the context. "Cannot be sought" implies a more profound or philosophical unattainability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be sought" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating an impossibility or prohibition. It modifies a verb, expressing that the action of "seeking" is not possible or permitted. As Ludwig suggests, it implies something that is unattainable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

24%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be sought" is a modal verb phrase used to express that something is fundamentally unattainable through direct pursuit. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and most commonly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts. While alternatives like "cannot be pursued" or "cannot be obtained" exist, "cannot be sought" emphasizes an inherent limitation. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately conveys the impossibility of attainment through effort, rather than a simple lack of success in finding something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be pursued

Focuses on the act of pursuing something that is impossible or forbidden.

cannot be requested

Highlights the impossibility of making a formal request for something.

cannot be obtained

Emphasizes the inability to gain or acquire something.

cannot be achieved

Focuses on the impossibility of reaching a specific goal or outcome.

is not obtainable

States that something is simply not available or accessible.

is not permissible

Indicates that something is not allowed or authorized.

is beyond reach

Implies that something is unattainable or out of one's grasp.

is out of the question

Indicates that something is completely unacceptable or impossible.

cannot be accessed

Highlights the inability to gain entry or use something.

cannot be solicited

Emphasizes that one is forbidden from asking for something.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be sought" to express that something is fundamentally impossible to obtain through direct effort or searching. For instance, "True happiness "cannot be sought" directly, but often arises as a byproduct of meaningful activity."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be sought"?

Alternatives include phrases like "cannot be pursued", "cannot be obtained", or "is unattainable", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct: "cannot be sought" or "cannot be found"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Cannot be sought" implies that something is inherently unpursuable, while "cannot be found" simply means that something has not been located. The choice depends on the context.

What is the difference between "cannot be sought" and "cannot be requested"?

"Cannot be sought" suggests that the very act of trying to find or attain something is futile or inappropriate. "Cannot be requested" simply means that a formal request for something is not allowed or possible. For example, "Ethical approval "cannot be sought" for registry studies according to Danish law," versus, "Additional funding "cannot be requested" at this stage of the project."