he cannot be trusted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he cannot be trusted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt about someone's reliability or honesty. Example: "After witnessing his actions, I realized that he cannot be trusted with sensitive information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

He cannot be trusted".

The New York Times

She added, "He cannot be trusted".

The New Yorker

She has repeatedly said he cannot be trusted.

The New York Times

He cannot be trusted as he is a paid shill.

The New York Times

And this one long ago showed he cannot be trusted.

The New York Times

Moreover, anyone familiar with McCarthy's work will know that he cannot be trusted.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

He says they cannot be trusted to conserve Armenia's history and that, where they can, they try to erase it.

Los Angeles Times

I just hope that he realizes that they cannot be trusted and that the solutions that they have in mind would make matters worse, not make matters better for the American people.

Huffington Post

He simply cannot be trusted to protect the integrity of America's democracy on his own.

The Washington Post

However, he still refers to America as the "Great Satan". And now that the nuclear agreement is a done deal, he says the United States cannot be trusted.

The Washington Post

In addition to disrupting a vital flow of intelligence and possibly endangering agents on the ground, Mr. Trump has let the world know that he and his administration cannot be trusted with sensitive information.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "he cannot be trusted", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific area of concern. For example, specify whether it relates to financial matters, personal secrets, or professional responsibilities.

Common error

Don't use "he cannot be trusted" without providing any supporting evidence or context. Instead of saying, "He cannot be trusted", provide a specific reason like, "He cannot be trusted with sensitive information because he has a history of leaking data."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he cannot be trusted" functions as a declarative statement expressing a lack of confidence or reliability in a specific individual. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing numerous examples where the phrase is used to convey skepticism or doubt.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he cannot be trusted" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a lack of confidence in someone's reliability or honesty. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is predominantly found in News & Media contexts, highlighting its use in public discourse and commentary. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear and provides specific reasons for the distrust. Consider alternatives like "he is unreliable" or "he is untrustworthy" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is not to be trusted

Uses a passive voice construction, implying a general state of untrustworthiness.

he is unreliable

Replaces the modal verb construction with a direct adjective.

he is untrustworthy

Uses a single adjective to express the lack of trust.

he is not dependable

Emphasizes the lack of dependability as a reason for not trusting.

he can't be relied upon

Focuses on the inability to rely on him, highlighting potential for failure.

trusting him is not advisable

Shifts the focus to the act of trusting, deeming it unwise.

he shouldn't be given responsibility

Suggests a lack of trust based on the denial of responsibility.

he lacks credibility

Attributes the lack of trust to a deficiency in credibility.

he's proven to be deceitful

Emphasizes previous actions as proof of untrustworthiness.

he's known for his duplicity

Indicates that his untrustworthiness is a recognized characteristic.

FAQs

How can I use "he cannot be trusted" in a sentence?

You can use "he cannot be trusted" to express a lack of confidence in someone's reliability or honesty. For example: "After witnessing his actions, I realized that he cannot be trusted with sensitive information."

What are some alternatives to saying "he cannot be trusted"?

You can use alternatives like "he is unreliable", "he is untrustworthy", or "he is not dependable depending on the context.

Is it better to say "he cannot be trusted" or "he is untrustworthy"?

Both phrases are correct, but "he cannot be trusted" often implies a specific reason or situation, while "he is untrustworthy" describes a general character trait.

What does it mean when someone says "he cannot be trusted"?

It means that the speaker has doubts about the person's honesty, reliability, or ability to keep secrets. It suggests that the person is likely to act in a way that betrays confidence or causes harm.