that cannot happen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that cannot happen" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express something that would be highly unlikely or impossible to occur. For example: "It is raining cats and dogs outside - that cannot happen!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

There is no reason that cannot happen again.

The New York Times

It's the kind of work that cannot happen in a simple faculty committee.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The best example of a reunion that cannot happen is Led Zeppelin.

The New Yorker

It is something that cannot happen quickly enough.

BBC

"A lot of things happen in our market that cannot happen on the mainland.

Forbes

"The only thing that cannot happen again is that after coming here you play that well again," Nadal said.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

But they agree that this cannot happen without better protection.

Independent

It would be silly to pretend that this cannot happen.

The Economist

This will form part of a robust review, to make sure that this cannot happen again.

Independent

I do so recognising that change cannot happen overnight.

The Telegraph

But he adds that change cannot happen without open discussion.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that cannot happen" to firmly express impossibility or prohibition, ensuring the context clearly supports the strength of this statement. Reserve it for situations where the impossibility is well-founded, not merely improbable.

Common error

Avoid using "that cannot happen" in situations where you are merely expressing a low probability rather than a true impossibility. Overusing it can weaken its impact and make your writing seem hyperbolic. Opt for phrases like "highly unlikely" or "improbable" when discussing possibilities, not certainties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that cannot happen" functions as a relative clause that emphasizes impossibility or prohibition. As demonstrated by Ludwig, the phrase often appears following a statement to negate a recurrence or possibility. The phrase can introduce a preventive action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that cannot happen" is a versatile phrase used to assert impossibility or strong prohibition, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Grammatically sound and frequently appearing in news and media, this phrase conveys conviction and sets clear boundaries. While commonly employed, remember to reserve it for genuine impossibilities rather than speculative scenarios. Alternatives like "that's impossible" and "that is out of the question" offer nuanced ways to express similar meanings. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and usable in written English. When used with careful consideration, "that cannot happen" is an effective tool for expressing certainty and preventing undesirable outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's impossible

Replaces "cannot happen" with a direct statement of impossibility.

that is not possible

A more formal way of expressing impossibility.

that will not occur

Focuses on the future non-occurrence of an event.

that is out of the question

Indicates that something is completely unacceptable or not to be considered.

that's not going to happen

An informal way to say something will not occur.

that's unachievable

Highlights the lack of feasibility in reaching a goal.

that won't be allowed

Emphasizes a prohibition or lack of permission.

that must not occur

Expresses a strong prohibition or necessity to prevent something.

that should be avoided

Suggests a course of action to prevent an undesirable outcome.

that's simply not an option

Indicates that something is not a viable or permissible choice.

FAQs

How can I use "that cannot happen" in a sentence?

Use "that cannot happen" to express that something is impossible or absolutely must not occur. For example, "A repeat of the 2008 financial crisis "that cannot happen" again." or "Data breaches on this scale "that cannot happen" again, we must reinforce data privacy regulation".

What phrases are similar to "that cannot happen"?

Alternatives include "that's impossible", "that is not possible", or "that is out of the question". The choice depends on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "that cannot happen"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It uses a relative pronoun ("that") followed by a modal verb ("cannot") and a verb ("happen") in a standard sentence structure.

What is the difference between "that cannot happen" and "that should not happen"?

"That cannot happen" implies impossibility, while "that should not happen" expresses a preference or recommendation. The former is a statement of certainty, whereas the latter conveys a desired outcome or preventative measure.