cannot be specified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be specified" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is too vague, uncertain, or not clearly defined. Example: "The exact date of the event cannot be specified at this time due to scheduling conflicts."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Furthermore, it cannot be specified exactly along all three axes simultaneously.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Spelling out the explanations requires using metaphors ("reading" DNA) or notions that cannot be specified generally and precisely in the austere languages of physics and chemistry ("close association").

The New York Times

Captain Christopher Hoyler, an air force spokesman, said that the vehicle's mission "cannot be specified" but that it will enhance "the development of the concept of operations for reusable space vehicles".

The Guardian

Moreover, unlike Bohr's theory, it is consistent with the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics—specifically the wave character of the electron and the requirements of the uncertainty principle, which states that the position and momentum (mass times velocity) of a particle cannot be specified simultaneously.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet for Vasubandhu, if the cause cannot be specified, then the person must be conceptually constructed.

SEP

However, this number is specific to each ligand data set and cannot be specified beforehand.

Journal of Cheminformatics

'No k' means that the rate of convergence cannot be specified.

Advances in Difference Equations

Consequently, λ i MAC cannot be specified, which means it can take any value.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Consequently optimal designs cannot be specified unless some assumptions are made about the possible values of θ.

Journal of Statistical Planning and Inference

It is generally known that the compact set cannot be specified before the control loop is closed.

Fuzzy Sets and Systems

Nevertheless, in these control techniques, tracking properties and perturbation rejection are interdependent and cannot be specified separately.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be specified" when you want to clearly indicate that certain details or parameters are unknown or impossible to determine at the current time. For instance, in a project plan, "the exact completion date "cannot be specified" until further data is available".

Common error

While "cannot be specified" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound vague and less engaging. Consider whether an active construction might be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "the reasons "cannot be specified"", you might write "we cannot specify the reasons".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be specified" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something is impossible or not feasible to define or determine precisely. It is used to express a limitation in knowledge or the absence of definitive parameters. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

Encyclopedias

5%

News & Media

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be specified" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something is indefinite or impossible to define precisely. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in science, encyclopedias, and news media, it maintains a formal and objective tone. When aiming for clarity, consider related phrases like "cannot be determined" or "cannot be defined" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. While versatile, be mindful of passive voice overuse. By mastering its appropriate usage, you enhance your writing's accuracy and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be determined

Emphasizes the inability to find out something definitively.

cannot be defined

Highlights the lack of a clear or precise definition.

cannot be ascertained

Stresses the impossibility of confirming or establishing something.

cannot be established

Focuses on the failure to set up or prove something.

cannot be identified

Highlights the impossibility of recognizing or naming something.

cannot be predicted

Emphasizes the inability to foresee or forecast something.

cannot be quantified

Focuses on the inability to measure or express something numerically.

cannot be characterized

Highlights the lack of distinct features to describe something.

cannot be prescribed

Emphasizes the impossibility of recommending or dictating something.

cannot be stipulated

Stresses the inability to demand or specify something as part of an agreement.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be specified" to indicate that certain details or parameters are unknown or impossible to determine precisely. For example: "The long-term effects of this medication "cannot be specified" without further research."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be specified"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be determined", "cannot be defined", or "cannot be ascertained" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "cannot be specified" or "is not specifiable"?

"Cannot be specified" is generally preferred because it's more common and sounds more natural. "Is not specifiable" is grammatically correct but less frequently used.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be specified" in formal writing?

It's appropriate to use "cannot be specified" in formal writing when you need to convey that certain information is unknown, unavailable, or impossible to determine with current knowledge or data. This phrase adds a level of precision and objectivity to your writing.