cannot be viewed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be viewed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is not visible or accessible to someone. Example: "Due to privacy settings, this document cannot be viewed by unauthorized users."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Family planning cannot be viewed in isolation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But foreign assistance cannot be viewed as charity.

The Guardian

This feature cannot be viewed using your mobile browser.

The New Yorker

Therefore the actions being taken by students at UCL cannot be viewed in isolation.

The Guardian - Opinion

The story illustrates the degree to which cultural and political decisions cannot be viewed in isolation.

The New York Times - Arts

The biggest challenge with all these discussions is that waste cannot be viewed in isolation.

The Guardian

This effort overall cannot be viewed as a mandate from the top.

The Washington Post

I strongly believe, however, that diversity cannot be viewed solely along demographic lines.

Princeton University

The Court recognizes that Perez probably cannot be viewed as a double jeopardy case.

Cornell University

The fetus and neonate cannot be viewed as "little adults"; they are highly sensitive to toxicity from environmental chemicals.

Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

Some builders and residents say the growing lack of low-cost housing cannot be viewed as good.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be viewed", ensure the context clearly indicates what is preventing the viewing. Be specific about whether it's a physical obstruction, a technical limitation, or a privacy setting.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive voice with "cannot be viewed". In some cases, active voice can create a clearer and more direct sentence. For example, instead of "The data cannot be viewed by the user", consider "The user cannot view the data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be viewed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something is incapable of being seen or accessed. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing limitations related to visibility, accessibility, or compatibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be viewed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction indicating an inability to see or access something. According to Ludwig, it appears commonly across various domains like news, science, and academia. While versatile, consider opting for active voice constructions where appropriate to enhance clarity. Remember to specify the reason or context for the viewing restriction to provide more complete information. Due to its widespread use and grammatical correctness, "cannot be viewed" remains a reliable choice in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be seen

A more literal synonym, focusing on the act of seeing.

is not visible

Focuses specifically on the lack of physical visibility.

cannot be accessed

Similar to "is not accessible", but uses a more active voice.

is not accessible

Highlights the lack of access or availability, whether physical or digital.

is out of sight

Indicates something is not within the range of vision.

is unobservable

Emphasizes the impossibility of observing something, often in a scientific context.

cannot be perceived

Focuses on the inability to perceive something through any of the senses, not just sight.

is imperceptible

Suggests that something is too subtle or faint to be noticed.

remains unseen

Highlights that something has not been seen yet, implying it might be seen in the future.

is beyond reach

Implies something is not attainable or within one's grasp, whether physically or metaphorically.

FAQs

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

You can use "cannot be viewed" to indicate that something is not visible or accessible, such as "This content "cannot be viewed" without permission" or "The file "cannot be viewed" on this device".

What are some alternatives to "cannot be viewed"?

Alternatives include "is not visible", "is not accessible", or "cannot be seen". The best choice depends on the specific context and the reason for the inability to view.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "cannot be viewed"?

While "cannot be viewed" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The report "cannot be viewed" without a password", you could say "You must enter a password to view the report".

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

It typically means that something is not visible, accessible, or available for viewing, often due to technical limitations, permission restrictions, or content incompatibility.