can't be certain

USAGE SUMMARY

"can't be certain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you lack certainty or confidence in a particular thing or outcome. For example, "We can't be certain what the effects of this vaccine will be until it has been tested further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

We can't be certain.

The Guardian - Sport

She can't be certain.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"You can't be certain".

The Guardian

I can't be certain why.

The New York Times - Magazine

But we can't be certain.

The New York Times

Erica You can't be certain.

The Guardian

We can't be certain until more people try it.

The New York Times

While we can't be certain, this probably reflects national trends.

The New York Times

He can't be certain, but he strongly suspects he was Sebastian Coe's personal choice.

The Guardian - Film

Of course, we can't be certain, but that doesn't stop us from trying.

The New Yorker

But I can't be certain how much he knew of the story.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing uncertainty, provide context or reasoning to explain why certainty is lacking. This adds credibility and depth to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "can't be certain" when some level of confidence is possible. Instead, use qualifiers such as "likely", "probably", or "possibly" to reflect the appropriate degree of confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can't be certain" functions as an epistemic modal, indicating a lack of complete knowledge or assurance. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted, as demonstrated by numerous examples from reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can't be certain" is a versatile phrase used to express a lack of complete knowledge or assurance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide acceptance. It's most common in news and media contexts, where objectivity and caution are important. Remember to provide context when using this phrase and avoid overstating uncertainty when some degree of confidence is possible. Alternatives include "cannot be sure" or "it remains uncertain", depending on the desired tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be sure

Replaces "can't" with "cannot" for a slightly more formal tone, while maintaining the same core meaning of uncertainty.

it's hard to say for sure

Uses a more casual tone, suggesting a lack of strong evidence or information to support a definitive conclusion.

it is difficult to say with any certainty

Emphasizes the difficulty in making a definitive statement due to a lack of certainty.

it remains uncertain

Shifts the focus to the state of uncertainty itself, rather than the speaker's inability to be certain.

one cannot say definitively

Presents a formal alternative, focusing on the lack of a conclusive or definitive statement.

it's not possible to know for sure

Offers a longer, more explanatory alternative, emphasizing the impossibility of knowing something with certainty.

it's open to question

Suggests that the matter is still under consideration or debate, implying a lack of certainty.

we have no way of knowing

Highlights the lack of means or ability to obtain certainty about something.

unable to ascertain

Substitutes "can't be certain" with a more formal and stronger expression of impossibility to determine something.

we cannot guarantee

Emphasizes the lack of assurance or warranty regarding a specific outcome or event.

FAQs

How can I use "can't be certain" in a sentence?

Use "can't be certain" to express a lack of complete assurance or knowledge about something. For example, "We "can't be certain" about the long-term effects of this policy".

What phrases are similar to "can't be certain"?

Similar phrases include "cannot be sure", "unable to ascertain", or "it remains uncertain", each conveying a degree of doubt or lack of definitive knowledge.

Is it better to say "cannot be certain" or "can't be certain"?

"Cannot be certain" is slightly more formal, while "can't be certain" is more conversational. Both are grammatically correct, so the choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What is the difference between "can't be certain" and "unlikely"?

"Can't be certain" indicates a complete lack of assurance, while "unlikely" suggests a low probability but doesn't eliminate the possibility. Use "unlikely" when there is some, albeit small, chance of something happening.