is not maintainable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not maintainable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something cannot be sustained, upheld, or continued, often in technical or legal discussions. Example: "The current system architecture is not maintainable due to its complexity and outdated components."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

[247 N.Y. 164] (1) We think the action is not maintainable as one for breach of contract.

Harvard University

[247 N.Y. 167] (2) We think the action is not maintainable as one for a common-law tort.

Harvard University

(3) We think the action is not maintainable as one for the breach of a statutory duty.

Harvard University

Though proper surface chemistry can be achieved through the use of covalent protein attachment, often it is not maintainable for the time periods necessary to study neuronal growth.

Biosensors and Bioelectronics

He did demur in the case last cited; and Cockburn, C.J., remarked that such an action is not maintainable, unless it be shown that the loss of some substantial or material advantage has resulted from the speaking of the words.

Cornell University

(4) The cause is not maintainable in this Court, since the employees of the State Belt Railroad, citizens of California, should be made parties, and to join any of them would deprive the Court of original jurisdiction.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The cases were "not maintainable," said the senior presiding judge, Justice Rana Baghwandas, citing an article of the Constitution that specified cases that should be heard by the provincial high court rather than by the Supreme Court.

The New York Times

If it's not maintainable, it's not a solution.

Forbes

"While Google Docs and [Dropbox] Paper are customer-facing documents, they aren't easily maintainable — you can't [easily] know who did what, you never open something unless someone sends you the link," Pasquier said.

TechCrunch

I am writing a book on that, on aging athletes and what I've learned about trying to maintain or improve performance as we get older, knowing that it's not going to be maintainable until you're 80-, 90-some years old.

The Washington Post

If it could, I think it is now maintainable here.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing systems or processes, clarify why something "is not maintainable". Providing specific reasons (e.g., complexity, cost, lack of expertise) strengthens your argument and offers potential solutions.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something "is not maintainable" without providing context. Instead, specify what aspects of the system or plan are unsustainable and why. For example, instead of saying "This software is not maintainable", specify "This software is not maintainable due to its complex architecture and lack of documentation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not maintainable" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in describing something that cannot be sustained or upheld.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

Academia

33%

News & Media

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not maintainable" effectively conveys that something cannot be sustained or upheld in its current form. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequency across diverse sources like Science, Academia and News & Media suggests a common need to express concerns about sustainability and feasibility. When using "is not maintainable", provide specific reasons to strengthen your assessment. Alternatives like "cannot be sustained" or "is unsustainable" can be considered for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be sustained

Emphasizes the inability to continue or support something over time.

is unsustainable

Focuses on the inability to maintain a certain rate or level without depleting resources or causing damage.

is not viable long-term

Highlights the lack of practicality or feasibility over an extended period.

is not feasible

Stresses the impracticality or impossibility of achieving something.

cannot be upheld

Implies an inability to defend or support something, often in a legal or moral context.

is not durable

Focuses on the lack of robustness or ability to withstand wear and tear.

is difficult to preserve

Highlights challenges associated with maintaining something in its current state.

is hard to keep up

Stresses the challenges involved in maintaining a certain pace or standard.

is not enforceable

Implies the difficulty or impossibility of compelling obedience to a law or rule.

lacks staying power

Indicates a deficiency in the ability to remain effective or popular over time.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "is not maintainable"?

When something "is not maintainable", it means it cannot be sustained, upheld, or continued in its current state. This often implies that significant changes or resources would be needed to keep it functioning.

How to use "is not maintainable" in a sentence?

You can use "is not maintainable" to describe a system, process, or plan that cannot be sustained in the long term. For example, "The current software architecture "is not maintainable" due to its complexity".

What are some alternatives to saying "is not maintainable"?

Alternatives to "is not maintainable" include phrases like "cannot be sustained", "is unsustainable", or "is not viable long-term", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "not maintainable" or "unmaintainable"?

Both "not maintainable" and "unmaintainable" are acceptable, but "not maintainable" is often preferred for its clarity and explicitness. "Unmaintainable" is a single word that carries the same meaning but might sound slightly more formal or technical.