cannot be suppressed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be suppressed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something cannot be hidden, controlled, or restrained, often referring to emotions, thoughts, or actions. Example: "Her excitement for the upcoming event cannot be suppressed, and she talks about it constantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A human being's urge for adventure cannot be suppressed, thus I chose to break away from tradition.

Vice

#FreedomOfSpeech cannot be suppressed.

Independent

The right cannot be suppressed any longer.

The Guardian

But the demons of desire cannot be suppressed.

The Guardian - Arts

"Speech cannot be suppressed simply because it may be interpreted as 'being political'".

The Guardian

However, unlike many of the women in Labrador, the girl in Wayne cannot be suppressed.

The New York Times - Books

If the market in data cannot be suppressed, how can it be controlled?

The Guardian - Opinion

Even at the subdued volume deemed suitable for croissant-munching, the symphony's raw power cannot be suppressed.

The Guardian - Music

Although the dark opening theme from the first movement reappears, as if to remind listeners that fate cannot be outrun, the positive force cannot be suppressed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On the simplest level, the dancing signals that despite months of bloody repression, the euphoria people feel in seeking freedom cannot be suppressed, participants said.

The New York Times

"Now you must play an active role in the Kashmir dispute for the sake of lasting peace in the region, keeping in mind that the people of Kashmir cannot be suppressed," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be suppressed" when you want to emphasize the futility of trying to restrain or control something, whether it's an emotion, an idea, or a physical force. This phrase often implies that attempts at suppression have been or will be made.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be suppressed" in overly passive sentences where an active voice would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The truth cannot be suppressed by lies", consider "Lies cannot suppress the truth".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be suppressed" functions as a passive construction, indicating an inability to control or restrain something. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts such as freedom of speech, desire, and even the power of music.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

64%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be suppressed" is a versatile and frequently used expression to convey the inability to restrain, control, or conceal something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. It appears across various contexts, from science and news to personal expression, indicating its broad applicability. When choosing this phrase, remember that it often implies an active force attempting to do the suppressing. Consider alternatives such as "cannot be contained" or "is irrepressible" for subtle differences in meaning. Be mindful of passive voice constructions for more direct writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be contained

Focuses on the idea of something overflowing or exceeding boundaries, whereas "cannot be suppressed" implies an active effort to restrain.

cannot be restrained

Emphasizes a lack of control due to external forces, while "cannot be suppressed" suggests an inability to quell or subdue.

cannot be quelled

Highlights the inability to calm or quiet something, providing a slightly more poetic or dramatic tone than "cannot be suppressed".

cannot be stifled

Stresses the inability to suffocate or smother something, often used metaphorically for creativity or dissent, differing slightly from the broader implications of "cannot be suppressed".

cannot be subdued

Focuses on the inability to bring something under control or dominate it, with a slightly more aggressive connotation than "cannot be suppressed".

cannot be repressed

Emphasizes the inability to push something down or keep it unconscious, typically used in psychological contexts, which is a narrower focus than "cannot be suppressed".

cannot be held back

Suggests something is moving forward with unstoppable momentum, implying less of a conscious effort to control it than "cannot be suppressed".

is irrepressible

Conveys a sense of inherent inability to be repressed, offering a more concise and emphatic alternative to "cannot be suppressed".

defies suppression

Highlights the resistance to attempts at suppression, adding an element of defiance not explicitly present in "cannot be suppressed".

eludes control

Focuses on the difficulty in managing or directing something, differing from "cannot be suppressed" which is an active verb describing the inability to actively stop something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "cannot be suppressed" indicates that something is impossible to restrain or control. For example: "The evidence of his guilt "cannot be suppressed"."

What can I say instead of "cannot be suppressed"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be contained", "cannot be restrained", or "is irrepressible" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "cannot be suppressed" or "cannot be contained"?

"Cannot be suppressed" implies an active effort to restrain something, whereas "cannot be contained" suggests something is overflowing or exceeding boundaries. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "cannot be suppressed" and "cannot be repressed"?

"Cannot be suppressed" is a broader term that applies to any attempt to restrain or control something. "cannot be repressed", on the other hand, typically refers to the psychological act of pushing something down or keeping it unconscious.