there cannot be any

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there cannot be any" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is impossible or not allowed. Example: "According to the laws of physics, there cannot be any objects that travel faster than the speed of light." In this sentence, the phrase is used to convey a scientific principle that states it is impossible for objects to travel faster than the speed of light.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There cannot be any question.

The New York Times

There cannot be any debate, writes Stephen Bayley.

Independent

"And there cannot be any other assessment".

The New York Times

There cannot be any special treatment.

The Guardian

Also, there cannot be any lies.

The New York Times

There cannot be any military justification for the bombings.

The Guardian - Opinion

"There cannot be any compromise, waiver or forgiveness".

The Guardian

"There cannot be any special treatment," he said.

The Guardian

"If you exclude him, then there cannot be any talks at all".

The New York Times

Obvious, maybe, but there cannot be any contender other than Norway's curling trousers.

The Guardian - Sport

There cannot be any doubt that copies picked up by travellers are read.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there cannot be any", ensure that the statement is factual and not simply a matter of opinion. For example, "There cannot be any doubt that clean water is essential for human health" is a strong statement of fact.

Common error

Avoid using "there cannot be any" when expressing something highly improbable but not absolutely impossible. Instead of saying "There cannot be any chance of rain tomorrow", consider "There is a very low chance of rain tomorrow".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there cannot be any" functions as a negative existential statement, asserting the non-existence or impossibility of something. Ludwig's examples show it's used to express certainty and prohibition across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there cannot be any" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express the impossibility or non-existence of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the examples demonstrate its common usage in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to formal register, best suited for expressing strong, factual statements. When using the phrase, it's essential to ensure that the impossibility is genuinely factual, avoiding overstatement in cases of mere improbability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there must not be any

Changes 'cannot' to 'must not', conveying a sense of obligation or requirement for something not to exist.

there should not be any

Substitutes 'cannot' with 'should not', suggesting a recommendation or expectation rather than a strict prohibition.

there will not be any

Replaces 'cannot' with 'will not', indicating a future certainty of non-existence or prevention.

it is impossible to have any

Restructures the phrase to emphasize the impossibility of something existing.

it is out of the question to have any

Uses 'out of the question' to express a stronger sense of prohibition or unacceptability.

any are not permitted

Inverts the structure to focus on the lack of permission for something to exist.

none are allowed

Simplifies the phrase to a direct statement of prohibition.

it's forbidden to have any

Uses 'forbidden' to convey a sense of being officially prohibited.

there's no possibility of any

Emphasizes the lack of possibility rather than a direct prohibition.

zero tolerance for any

Expresses a strict policy of disallowing something without exception.

FAQs

How do I use "there cannot be any" in a sentence?

Use "there cannot be any" to express impossibility or prohibition. For example, "There cannot be any exceptions to this rule" indicates that no exceptions are allowed.

What's a more formal alternative to "there cannot be any"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "there must not be any". This phrase conveys a stronger sense of obligation or requirement.

Can I use "there cannot be any" in questions?

While grammatically possible, it's uncommon. Instead, rephrase the question. For example, instead of "Cannot there be any compromise?", ask "Is any compromise possible?"

Is "there cannot be any" always interchangeable with "there cannot be a"?

No, they aren't always interchangeable. "There cannot be any" is used with plural or uncountable nouns (e.g., "There cannot be any exceptions"), while "there cannot be a" is used with singular countable nouns (e.g., "There cannot be a solution").