I cannot confirm

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "I cannot confirm" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in situations where you are unable to give a definitive answer, for example: Q: Is the flight leaving on time? A: I cannot confirm, but the status should be updated soon.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I cannot confirm the story.

Independent

I cannot confirm, deny or comment".

The New York Times

"I cannot confirm that [report]," she said.

The Guardian - Sport

"I cannot confirm that it's from MH370".

The Guardian

JODL: Put that way, I cannot confirm it fully.

Yale University

SAUCKEL: I cannot confirm the figures without records.

Yale University

At the moment I cannot confirm it with certainty.

Yale University

MCCABE: I cannot confirm that request was made.

The Washington Post

"I cannot confirm that the assault has started.

The Guardian

"I cannot confirm that there was any bomb".

The Guardian

"I cannot confirm whether he was shot by our people or his security brigade.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I cannot confirm", consider adding a brief explanation as to why you cannot confirm. This adds transparency and context to your response.

Common error

Avoid using "I cannot confirm" as a way to dodge answering questions you are capable of answering. This can damage trust and credibility. If you have information but are unwilling to share it, be direct rather than evasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I cannot confirm" functions as a declarative statement expressing an inability to verify information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. The phrase indicates a lack of sufficient knowledge, authority, or permission to validate a particular claim or piece of data.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I cannot confirm" is a versatile phrase used to express an inability to verify information. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this phrase and finds it commonly used across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Academia. It is a neutral to formal expression, suitable for professional communications, used to indicate a lack of sufficient knowledge, authority, or permission to validate a particular claim or piece of data. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with your actual inability to verify, rather than as an evasive tactic. Alternatives such as "I am unable to verify" and "I can neither confirm nor deny" can provide nuanced expressions depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm unable to verify

Replaces "cannot" with "unable", emphasizing the lack of ability.

I'm not in a position to confirm

Indicates a lack of authority or access to information needed for confirmation.

I'm not at liberty to confirm

Suggests a restriction preventing confirmation, often due to confidentiality.

I can neither confirm nor deny

Presents a neutral stance, avoiding both confirmation and denial.

I lack the information to confirm

Highlights the absence of necessary data for verification.

I'm not able to corroborate that

Uses "corroborate" to emphasize the need for supporting evidence.

That's not something I can confirm

Shifts the focus to the specific information being requested, implying limitations.

Confirmation is not possible at this time

Emphasizes the impossibility of confirming at the present moment.

I cannot validate that information

Uses "validate" to highlight the need for authentication or verification.

I don't have enough data to confirm

Stresses that lack of sufficient information is the issue.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says, "I cannot confirm"?

When someone says "I cannot confirm", it typically means they are unable to verify the truth or accuracy of a statement or piece of information. This could be due to a lack of knowledge, authority, or restrictions such as confidentiality agreements.

What are some alternatives to saying "I cannot confirm"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "I am unable to verify", "I am not in a position to confirm", or "I can neither confirm nor deny".

Is it more appropriate to say "I cannot confirm" or "I can't confirm"?

"I cannot confirm" and "I can't confirm" are both grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. "I cannot confirm" is slightly more formal, while "I can't confirm" is more conversational. Choose the one that best fits the tone of your communication.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "I cannot confirm or deny"?

The phrase "I cannot confirm or deny" is typically used when responding to sensitive or confidential information. It is a way of neither admitting nor denying the information, often to protect privacy, security, or ongoing investigations. This differs slightly from "I cannot confirm" which implies lack of knowledge or ability to verify the information.