it cannot be recalled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it cannot be recalled" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that cannot be remembered or retrieved, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "Once the information is deleted, it cannot be recalled, and all traces of it will be permanently lost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Under longstanding policies of the Police and Fire Departments, once equipment is sent out it cannot be recalled until a unit arrives at the scene and reports that its department's assistance is not needed.

The New York Times

It cannot be recalled for certain whether on this occasion the director was conducting a meeting when Ditmas happened to barge in unannounced, though it would not have been the first time.

The New York Times - Magazine

When Smith sits down to an obscure species of card game, the exposition becomes more and more amusingly unfollowable until the narrator gives up: "alas the explanation is bungled, but it cannot be recalled and started over again, for the game has begun Still, the reader may now find himself in as bemused a position as Mr Smith; which is, to be sure, a kind of gain in understanding".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But the novel is kept from getting to the bottom of it by the adult Queeney's effort to forget things instead of figuring them out: "It cannot be repeated too often that circumstances surrounding my early life were such that certain events cannot be recalled without grave disturbance of spirits".

The New York Times - Books

The problem is that the internet cannot be recalled.

The Economist

Information that cannot be recalled has not really been learned.

The New York Times

Their business is making loans that cannot be recalled quickly from deposits that can vanish in a trice.

The Economist

But one thing is certain — by law Mr. Suttle cannot be recalled, for at least another year.

The New York Times

Komiyama cannot be recalled for 10 days unless the Mets put a pitcher on the disabled list.

The New York Times - Sports

Senators cannot be recalled by their states before their terms expire, according to precedents set by the US supreme court.

The Guardian

But it calls for retiring about 310 animals that the agency owns over the next few years, to sanctuaries from which they cannot be recalled for research.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it cannot be recalled" in legal or formal writing, ensure the context clearly establishes what is being referred to. For example, specify "the data" or "the testimony" before stating it cannot be recalled.

Common error

Avoid using "it cannot be recalled by" when the actor is irrelevant. Simply state "it cannot be recalled" to emphasize the impossibility of retrieval, rather than focusing on who might be doing the recalling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it cannot be recalled" functions as a passive construction expressing impossibility. It's often used to indicate that something is irretrievable, whether it is a memory, data, or a previous action, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it cannot be recalled" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as verified by Ludwig. It's used to indicate that something is impossible to remember or retrieve, appearing in both formal and neutral contexts such as news, scientific articles, and business documents. While not extremely common, its usage is consistent and clear. Remember to use it when you wish to emphasize the definitive irretrievability of something, and consider alternatives like "it is irretrievable" or "it cannot be remembered" depending on the nuance you want to convey. Ludwig's examples showcase its versatility across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it cannot be remembered

A passive construction emphasizing the inability to remember.

it is not possible to remember

States directly the inability to bring something back to mind.

it is impossible to remember

Stresses the impossibility of recalling something.

it is irretrievable

Focuses on the inability to recover something, rather than specifically a memory.

it is unrecoverable

Emphasizes the impossibility of getting something back, often in a physical or data-related context.

it is beyond recollection

Highlights that something is impossible to remember because it happened a long time ago or was insignificant.

it is lost to memory

Suggests that something has faded from one's memory.

it has vanished from memory

Implies that a memory has disappeared completely.

it's consigned to oblivion

A more dramatic way of saying something is completely forgotten.

it slips one's mind

Indicates a failure to recall something, often unintentionally.

FAQs

How can I use "it cannot be recalled" in a sentence?

Use "it cannot be recalled" when you want to express that something is impossible to remember or retrieve, for example, "Once the message is deleted, "it cannot be recalled"".

What is a more formal way to say "it cannot be recalled"?

A more formal alternative could be "it is irretrievable" or "it is unrecoverable", depending on whether you are referring to data or a memory.

Is "it cannot be recalled" the same as "it cannot be remembered"?

Yes, ""it cannot be recalled"" and "it cannot be remembered" are very similar in meaning. The first might be preferred in more formal contexts.

What's the difference between "it cannot be recalled" and "it slips one's mind"?

"It slips one's mind" suggests a temporary or unintentional failure to remember, while ""it cannot be recalled"" implies a permanent inability to retrieve the information.