cannot be withdrawn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be withdrawn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is irrevocable or cannot be taken back, such as in legal or financial situations. Example: "Once the funds are transferred, they cannot be withdrawn under any circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

But the Barak-Clinton concessions cannot be withdrawn until the conceders leave the political scene.

The New York Times

And 29 percent of the firm's money cannot be withdrawn for several years.

The New York Times

Of what use is a "convertible" currency if money cannot be withdrawn from the bank?

The Economist

The Government accepts that a notice under Article 50 cannot be withdrawn once it has been given.

The Guardian

But by its nature, that debt cannot be withdrawn if worries about a bank's solvency suddenly increase.

The New York Times

But it cannot be withdrawn at will like money from an A.T.M.; wells yield only so much liquid per day.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Will it really contend that the article 50 notice cannot legally be withdrawn?

The Guardian - Opinion

Data does not always stay in one place; if it is transferred to another company it cannot easily be withdrawn.

The New York Times - Tech

Likewise, life support measures cannot currently be withdrawn from dying patients.

Critical Care

For example, in a patient with acute respiratory failure, we may hesitate before intubating the trachea to institute mechanical ventilation because we are unsure of the history of that patient and want to be certain we do not start a therapy that will turn out to be futile but cannot later be withdrawn.

Critical Care

Women's rights campaigner and Kabul MP, Shinkai Karokhail, stresses: "In the current situation of terrorism, we cannot say troops should be withdrawn … the international troop presence here is a guarantee for my safety".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about scientific studies, use “cannot be withdrawn” when referring to samples that were already analyzed.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "cannot be withdrawn" might sound overly formal or stiff in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "can't be taken back" or "is irreversible" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be withdrawn" functions primarily as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is unable to be taken back or removed. As Ludwig highlights, this is commonly used to describe situations where something is irrevocable. The examples show its use in legal, financial, and medical contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be withdrawn" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the irrevocability of an action, decision, or resource. Ludwig's analysis of real-world examples, alongside its AI-driven insights, show that while "cannot be withdrawn" is mostly used in formal settings across News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, consider alternative phrasings (like "cannot be taken back" or "is irreversible") when a less formal tone is desired. Always prioritize clarity and accuracy when conveying the impossibility of reversal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be taken back

Offers a more straightforward alternative to "cannot be withdrawn", emphasizing the impossibility of reversal.

cannot be undone

Offers a simpler alternative, focusing on the impossibility of reversing an action.

cannot be retracted

Replaces "withdrawn" with "retracted", emphasizing the act of taking something back.

cannot be reversed

Emphasizes the inability to change the direction or outcome of something.

is irreversible

Presents a more concise option, indicating that the process or action cannot be undone.

cannot be revoked

Substitutes "withdrawn" with "revoked", highlighting the cancellation or annulment of something.

is irrevocable

This is the closest one-word synonym for “cannot be withdrawn”.

cannot be rescinded

Uses "rescinded" instead of "withdrawn", focusing on the official cancellation of a decision or law.

cannot be recalled

Replaces "withdrawn" with "recalled", implying the retrieval of something that was previously given or sent out.

is unretractable

Provides a single-word alternative to "cannot be withdrawn", suggesting that something cannot be pulled back.

FAQs

What does "cannot be withdrawn" mean?

The phrase "cannot be withdrawn" means that something is permanent and it is impossible to take it back or reverse it. It's often used in formal contexts such as legal agreements or financial transactions.

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

It is appropriate to use "cannot be withdrawn" in formal writing when you want to emphasize the irrevocability of something, such as a legal agreement, a financial transaction, or a policy. For less formal contexts, consider alternatives like "cannot be taken back" or "is irreversible".

What are some alternatives to "cannot be withdrawn"?

Some alternatives to "cannot be withdrawn" include "cannot be retracted", "cannot be revoked", "cannot be rescinded", "cannot be taken back", or "is irreversible", depending on the specific context.

Is "cannot be withdrawn" grammatically correct?

Yes, "cannot be withdrawn" is grammatically correct. According to Ludwig, it follows standard grammatical rules and is usable in written English. It's a passive construction of the verb "withdraw" and is frequently used in formal contexts.