cannot ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when expressing the inability to determine or find out something. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, I cannot ascertain the cause of the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Doctors also say that the tests are not medical and cannot ascertain previous sexual activity.

The New York Times

There will obviously be times where we cannot ascertain who had the assignment which got blown.

The New York Times

But some players and coaches feel the television coverage provides a few details they cannot ascertain from the silent, restricted-angle game tape they study.

The New York Times - Sports

"Persons who wish to criticize and comment on them cannot ascertain which sites are contained in the lists unless they circumvent," the ruling said.

The New York Times - Tech

"We cannot ascertain the number of people killed for now, and moreover we cannot say what or who was responsible for the attack," Mr. Adenaike said.

The New York Times

But if we cannot ascertain the truth then then we cannot ascertain the degree of truthlikeness of our theories either.

SEP

These surveys cannot ascertain that statement, but they were carried out to control the expected impact on VAP prevalence.

Annals of Intensive Care

He argued that it is consistent with all the facts that I am indeed a Turing machine, but that I cannot ascertain which one.

SEP

But that by itself does not tell us whether the predicate 'true' applies to cases where we cannot ascertain that it does.

SEP

You cannot ascertain aspects of someone's personality via their facial expressions, eye contact and their body language online.

Huffington Post

However, current research cannot ascertain whether the extinctions occurred prior to or during the boundary interval itself.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot ascertain", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific information or fact is impossible to determine. Be precise in your language.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot ascertain" when there is simply a degree of uncertainty, rather than a complete inability to determine something. Weaken the statement by using "difficult to ascertain" when certainty is merely challenging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot ascertain" functions as a negative epistemic expression, indicating the inability to establish something as fact. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in contexts where certainty or determination is impossible given available information. This expression often qualifies statements and research findings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

74%

News & Media

19%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot ascertain" is a formal phrase used to express the inability to determine or establish something definitively. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its common usage in scientific, news, and business contexts. While alternatives like "unable to determine" or "impossible to establish" exist, "cannot ascertain" maintains a level of precision suitable for academic and professional writing. It's crucial to use the phrase accurately, reserving it for situations where actual determination is impossible, rather than merely difficult.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to determine

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

impossible to establish

Focuses on the impossibility of establishing a fact or situation.

unable to confirm

Highlights the lack of confirmation or verification.

difficult to ascertain

Emphasizes the difficulty in determining something, rather than complete inability.

cannot verify

Highlights the impossibility of verifying a piece of information.

unable to verify

Similar to "cannot verify" but uses "unable" instead of "cannot".

impossible to discern

Emphasizes the impossibility of perceiving or recognizing something.

cannot be sure

Expresses a lack of certainty or confidence.

unable to find out

Focuses on the failure to discover or learn something.

impossible to know

Highlights the inability to have knowledge of something.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot ascertain" in a sentence?

Use "cannot ascertain" to express an inability to determine something. For example: "We "cannot ascertain" the cause of the error." Alternatives include: "unable to determine" or "cannot identify".

What can I say instead of "cannot ascertain"?

You can use alternatives like "unable to determine", "impossible to establish", or "difficult to ascertain" depending on the specific context.

Is "cannot ascertain" formal or informal?

"Cannot ascertain" is generally considered a formal phrase and is appropriate for academic, professional, or official contexts. For more informal settings, you might choose a simpler alternative like "can't find out".

What's the difference between "cannot ascertain" and "cannot determine"?

While "cannot ascertain" and "cannot determine" are similar, "cannot ascertain" often implies a greater degree of difficulty or impossibility in finding something out. "Cannot determine" is a more general term for being unable to establish something.