cannot be affirmed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be affirmed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something cannot be confirmed or validated. Example: "The results of the experiment were inconclusive, and thus, the hypothesis cannot be affirmed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But the propositions that he holds about what the true last end or ultimate destiny of human beings actually is belong to category (iii) and cannot be affirmed on any philosophical basis, even though philosophy, he thinks, can demonstrate that they are neither incoherent nor contrary to any proposition which philosophy shows must be affirmed.

SEP

Are there Muslim thinkers and scholars immersed in their faith, sensitive to the frustrations and resentments of the Muslim world, and yet appreciative of Western liberties not as an affront but as a stimulus to re-examine the riches of Islam and determine what can and cannot be affirmed with full religious integrity?

The New York Times

For example, the point where SetOnOff produces an effect in the room control cannot be affirmed unless intuitively.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

One limitation of this research is that data saturation cannot be affirmed; it is unknowable how many additional qualities and attributes might be ascribed given additional data, but this research supports these 46.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

However, a causal relationship between HH and mortality cannot be affirmed by this observational study, as HH may also reflect the severity of the post-CA syndrome and shock.

Annals of Intensive Care

So while it is possible that recognition deficits are due to the total time required to display the dots if one is using a T3 of 2 ms or longer, even that cannot be affirmed with any confidence.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The judgment should be affirmed.

The New York Times

I wanted this show to be affirming".

The New York Times

In fact, the situation actually favors theism, since Kant holds that theoretical reason sees value in the concept of God as a regulative ideal, even though God's existence cannot be theoretically affirmed as knowledge.

SEP

How? Putnam's claim is that we can rule it out because on a plausible theory of reference, it is self-refuting: that is, 'I am a brain-in-a-vat [or BIV, for short]' cannot be truly affirmed by anyone.

SEP

Finally, owing to the above-mentioned significant heterogeneity, any definitive conclusion about ORR, TTP, and CB cannot be conclusively affirmed.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be affirmed" when you want to explicitly state that something lacks the necessary support or validation to be considered true or certain. It's particularly useful in formal writing and academic contexts where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be affirmed" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "can't be sure" or "not proven" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be affirmed" serves as a negation of confirmation. It's used to express the absence of validation or proof for a statement or claim. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something lacks the necessary support to be considered true or certain.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be affirmed" is a formal expression used to indicate a lack of confirmation or validation for a statement or claim. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, particularly in scientific and academic contexts. While it conveys precision, it's best reserved for formal settings; simpler alternatives are more suitable for casual communication. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific publications and news reports. As demonstrated by the examples from Ludwig, its primary purpose is to express uncertainty or the need for further evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be validated

Focuses on the lack of validation, emphasizing the inability to prove something true.

cannot be confirmed

Highlights the absence of confirmation, suggesting that there is no supporting evidence.

cannot be substantiated

Emphasizes the lack of evidence to support a claim or statement.

cannot be verified

Stresses the impossibility of verifying the truth or accuracy of something.

cannot be proven

Indicates that there is no way to demonstrate the truth of something.

remains unproven

Shifts the focus to the continuing lack of proof, suggesting that the situation may change.

lacks confirmation

Highlights the absence of confirming evidence.

is not demonstrable

Indicates that something cannot be shown or proven through demonstration.

is open to question

Suggests doubt and uncertainty about the validity of something.

remains uncertain

Emphasizes the continuing lack of certainty about a particular matter.

FAQs

What does "cannot be affirmed" mean?

The phrase "cannot be affirmed" means that something cannot be confirmed or validated as true or accurate due to a lack of supporting evidence or proof.

How can I use "cannot be affirmed" in a sentence?

You can use "cannot be affirmed" to indicate that a claim, hypothesis, or statement lacks sufficient evidence to be considered true. For example: "The researcher stated that a causal relationship "cannot be affirmed" based on the current data."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be affirmed"?

Some alternatives to "cannot be affirmed" include "cannot be confirmed", "cannot be validated", or "remains unproven" depending on the specific context.

Is "cannot be affirmed" formal language?

Yes, "cannot be affirmed" is generally considered formal language and is often used in academic, scientific, or professional contexts. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.