could not be accommodated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not be accommodated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a request or need cannot be met or fulfilled. Example: "Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts, your request for a later meeting time could not be accommodated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Atheists and polytheists, he allowed, could not be accommodated.

The Economist

At the inevitable post-concert dinner, Cynthia Schwab made it clear that the Yurodivy crew could not be accommodated.

The New Yorker

But when she called the university she was told by a technician that her wishes could not be accommodated.

The New York Times

He needed to set out all the facts, and they could not be accommodated within a single paper.

The Guardian - Books

These, she said, were for a closed-circuit showing of the proceedings in a nearby courtroom in case some reporters could not be accommodated in her courtroom.

The New York Times

After democratisation in 1994, there was a major inward flow of people into the urban core that could not be accommodated, despite a massive housing construction programme.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Souba, a chatty, unemployed man who had brought his wife with him, said he saw no reason why Raelianism couldn't be accommodated alongside Sufi Islam or Catholicism, the religions that dominate Burkina Faso.

The Guardian

If there happened to be any excess population that couldn't be accommodated within the greenbelt, it was supposed to be accommodated in small, self-contained garden cities beyond the belt.

Forbes

Lawyers for Davis had argued in court papers that if she couldn't be accommodated based on her religious objections, "then elected officials have no real religious freedom when they take public office".

Huffington Post

CONS: An excess of material goods could not be happily accommodated in this aesthetically pure space.

The New York Times

"The delays at immigration are likely to be so long that passengers could not be safely accommodated within the terminals and would need to be held on arriving aircraft," he wrote.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could not be accommodated", ensure the context clearly specifies what could not be accommodated and why. Providing a reason enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "could not be accommodated" is grammatically sound, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing seem weak. Consider rephrasing to an active voice where appropriate to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not be accommodated" functions as a passive construction, indicating the inability to fulfill a request, need, or requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could not be accommodated" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that a request or need cannot be fulfilled. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While direct and clear, it's important to be mindful of potential overuse of the passive voice and to provide context for clarity. Alternatives such as "could not be met" or "could not be fulfilled" may be used to vary your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could not be fitted

Replaces 'accommodated' with 'fitted', focusing on physical space or scheduling limitations.

could not be met

Substitutes 'accommodated' with 'met', emphasizing the inability to satisfy a requirement or request.

could not be fulfilled

Uses 'fulfilled' instead of 'accommodated', highlighting the failure to complete or achieve something.

could not be facilitated

Replaces 'accommodated' with 'facilitated', stressing the lack of support or means to enable something.

could not be arranged

Focuses on the inability to organize or set up something, replacing 'accommodated'.

could not be provided

Emphasizes the lack of availability or supply, using 'provided' instead of 'accommodated'.

was unable to be accommodated

Adds 'was unable' to emphasize the lack of ability to accommodate.

could not be integrated

Uses 'integrated' instead of 'accommodated', focusing on the impossibility of inclusion or combination.

could not be incorporated

Emphasizes the inability to include something within a larger system, replacing 'accommodated'.

resources were insufficient

Indicates a lack of adequate resources to meet requirements, indirectly implying that something could not be accommodated.

FAQs

What does "could not be accommodated" mean?

The phrase "could not be accommodated" means that a request, need, or requirement was impossible to fulfill or satisfy due to limitations or constraints.

What are some alternatives to "could not be accommodated"?

Alternatives include phrases like "could not be met", "could not be fulfilled", or "was unable to be accommodated", depending on the specific context.

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

You can use it like this: "Due to limited space, your request for additional seating could not be accommodated".

Is "could not be accommodated" formal or informal?

The phrase is generally considered neutral to formal and is suitable for professional, academic, and news contexts.