cannot be weeded out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be weeded out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something cannot be eliminated or removed from a situation or context. Example: "Despite our efforts to streamline the process, some inefficiencies cannot be weeded out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This corruption cannot be weeded out in a short time".

The Guardian

But problems that show up after we're done reproducing cannot be weeded out by evolution.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Bogus asylum seekers must be weeded out and returned.

The Guardian

"The weak will be weeded out," said Yamashina of Morgan Stanley.

Los Angeles Times

Unnecessary or wasteful components need to be weeded out [ 21, 50, 51].

Globalization and Health

Inherited genetic mutations that cause infertility at younger ages are weeded out, because young women carrying them cannot have babies.

The Guardian

The inefficient are weeded out and flung downward".

The Guardian - Books

So far, 1,800 people have been weeded out after vetting.

The Guardian

The UKIP leader said unsuitable people had been "weeded out".

BBC

Those that can't are weeded out in the thymus.

Science Magazine

How did their N increase if multiunits were weeded out?

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be weeded out", ensure the context clearly establishes what is resistant to removal. For example, "Some inefficiencies, despite best efforts, "cannot be weeded out"".

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be weeded out" to suggest complete helplessness; instead, acknowledge efforts to mitigate or manage the unavoidable aspect. It implies inherent resistance, not necessarily a lack of possible solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be weeded out" functions as a passive construction indicating the impossibility of removing or eliminating something. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English, highlighting its role in expressing inherent resistance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be weeded out" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the impossibility of eliminating something, despite attempts to do so. Analysis through Ludwig's examples suggests that it's prevalent in News & Media and Science contexts, used to describe persistent problems or inherent limitations. While completely acceptable, it's crucial to ensure clarity in the context to avoid overstating inevitability. Alternative phrases like "cannot be eliminated" or "cannot be removed" can provide similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be eliminated

Focuses on the inability to completely eliminate something.

cannot be removed

Emphasizes the impossibility of taking something away.

cannot be eradicated

Highlights the difficulty of completely destroying or getting rid of something.

cannot be purged

Indicates the inability to cleanse or purify by removing unwanted elements.

cannot be excised

Focuses on the impossibility of surgically removing something.

cannot be extirpated

Emphasizes the challenge of completely destroying or rooting out something.

cannot be gotten rid of

A more informal way of expressing the impossibility of removal.

cannot be cleared out

Highlights the inability to completely clear something away.

cannot be filtered out

Focuses on the impossibility of separating or removing something using a filtering process.

cannot be excluded

Indicates the inability to prevent something from being included or considered.

FAQs

What does "cannot be weeded out" mean?

It means something is impossible to remove or eliminate, often despite efforts to do so. It suggests the thing in question is deeply embedded or inherently resistant to being taken away.

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

Use it to describe elements that persist despite attempts at removal, such as "Certain biases in the data "cannot be weeded out" completely".

What can I say instead of "cannot be weeded out"?

Alternatives include "cannot be eliminated", "cannot be removed", or "cannot be eradicated" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "weeded out" formal or informal?

"Weeded out" itself is relatively neutral. However, when combined with "cannot be", it takes on a slightly more formal tone, suitable for professional or academic writing. Consider context when choosing alternatives.