that cannot be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that cannot be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express impossibility or something that is not feasible or acceptable in a given context. Example: "There are certain truths in life that cannot be ignored, no matter how hard we try."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"No, that cannot be".

The New York Times

But, Deutrom argued, that cannot be proven.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is something that cannot be ignored.

BBC

"This is something that cannot be justified.

Los Angeles Times

Things that cannot be explained.

Vice

Treat clothes that cannot be washed.

WikiHow

This is something that cannot be taught.

WikiHow

That cannot be overemphasized.

Independent

That cannot be".

The New York Times

That cannot be denied.

The New Yorker

But that cannot be guaranteed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that cannot be" to express a firm denial, impossibility, or unacceptability of a situation, idea, or action. Ensure the context clearly supports the strong negative assertion.

Common error

Avoid using "that cannot be" in overly casual conversations where simpler phrases like "that's not it" or "that's wrong" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a certain weight and formality that may sound unnatural in very informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that cannot be" serves as a declarative statement expressing impossibility, denial, or unacceptability. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English. Examples in Ludwig show this phrase used to refute claims, express disbelief, or reject ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that cannot be" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate impossibility, unacceptability, or denial. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it also appears in academic and wiki sources. While effective in conveying a strong negative assertion, it's best to avoid overuse in very informal settings where simpler expressions would suffice. Consider alternatives like "that is not possible" or "that is unacceptable" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is not possible

Replaces "cannot" with "is not possible", emphasizing the lack of possibility.

that is unacceptable

Focuses on the unacceptability of something, rather than its impossibility.

that is out of the question

Indicates something is not worth considering or allowing, more emphatic.

that's simply not an option

Presents something as an unviable choice or alternative.

that is not feasible

Highlights the impracticality or unworkability of something.

that will not do

Suggests something is insufficient or unsatisfactory.

that's just not on

Expresses disapproval and the violation of rules or norms (more informal).

it is not to be

Implies a sense of fate or destiny preventing something from happening.

that is not permitted

Focuses specifically on the lack of permission or authorization.

that's never going to happen

Emphasizes the unlikelihood or impossibility of an event occurring in the future.

FAQs

What does "that cannot be" mean?

The phrase "that cannot be" is used to express impossibility, unacceptability, or strong disagreement with a statement or situation.

When is it appropriate to use "that cannot be"?

It's appropriate to use "that cannot be" when you want to firmly deny something, state that something is impossible, or express that something is unacceptable. The phrase is suitable for formal and semi-formal contexts.

What are some alternatives to "that cannot be"?

Alternatives to "that cannot be" include "that is not possible", "that is unacceptable", or "that is out of the question depending on the context".

Is "that cannot be" formal or informal?

"That cannot be" falls somewhere between formal and neutral. It's generally appropriate for professional, news-related, or academic settings, but it can also appear in everyday conversation. However, it might sound somewhat strong or stiff in very informal contexts.