could not be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not be" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is impossible or unlikely to happen, or that an opinion or expectation is wrong. For example: "The new tax regulations could not be any more complex."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Could not be simpler.

The New York Times - Food

This could not be.

The New Yorker

Others could not be found.

The New York Times

I could not be silent.

The New York Times

Atlético could not be happier.

The Guardian - Sport

Chopin could not be bothered.

The New York Times - Arts

Ferreri could not be reached.

The New York Times

(I could not be there).

The New York Times - Arts

It could not be otherwise.

The New York Times

Aitken could not be reached.

Independent

This could not be permitted.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could not be" to express a strong negation or impossibility, especially when discussing past or hypothetical situations. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being negated.

Common error

Avoid using "could not be" when "cannot be" is more appropriate for expressing present impossibilities. "Could not be" often implies a past or conditional context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not be" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing impossibility, strong negation, or a lack of ability in past or hypothetical situations. Ludwig examples confirm its use in denying possibilities or expressing disbelief.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could not be" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express impossibility, strong negation, or unlikelihood, particularly in past or hypothetical contexts. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears in news and media, as well as formal business settings. Alternative expressions include "cannot be", "was not able to be", and "is impossible to be", offering nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. When writing, ensure that "could not be" is used appropriately for past or conditional scenarios, reserving "cannot be" for present impossibilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be

Uses 'cannot' to express present impossibility or strong improbability instead of the past or conditional 'could not'.

was not able to be

Rephrases using 'was not able' to emphasize a past inability.

is impossible to be

Emphasizes the impossibility of a situation using a more direct statement.

it was not possible to be

More formally states the lack of possibility.

was definitely not

Strongly negates a past state or condition.

it is out of the question

Indicates something is not worth considering or impossible to allow.

it would never be

Expresses that a situation will definitely not occur in the future.

it cannot happen

Focuses on the impossibility of an event occurring.

is simply not an option

Highlights that something is unacceptable or impossible to consider.

it is far from being

Indicates that something is not close to a particular state or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "could not be" in a sentence?

Use "could not be" to express impossibility or strong unlikelihood, typically in past or conditional contexts. For instance, "The situation "could not be" resolved without intervention."

What alternatives can I use instead of "could not be"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "cannot be", "was not able to be", or "is impossible to be".

Is it correct to use "could not be" for present situations?

While grammatically valid, "could not be" is generally better suited for past or conditional scenarios. Use "cannot be" for present impossibilities.

What is the difference between "could not be" and "cannot be"?

"Could not be" typically refers to past or hypothetical situations, while "cannot be" refers to present impossibilities. The choice depends on the tense and context of your statement.