cannot be ascertained

USAGE SUMMARY

"cannot be ascertained" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express uncertainty or inability to determine a certain fact, or to know something for certain. For example: "The exact source of the leak cannot be ascertained."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The authentic rhythmic style of chant cannot be ascertained.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some irritating vacation behaviors cannot be ascertained in advance, no matter how hard one tries.

The New York Times - Travel

Whether or not this model will "work" cannot be ascertained unless it's adopted.

The Guardian

The exact number of the blast victims cannot be ascertained as yet".

The Guardian

The skin is that of a white person, or persons; the precise ethnicity cannot be ascertained.

Independent

Although he reputedly translated the whole Bible except the Books of Kings, the extent of his work cannot be ascertained.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The full extent of death, injury and destruction cannot be ascertained because of the government's refusal to allow independent media and monitoring in the conflict zone.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their condition-mediated ASE behaviors cannot be ascertained.

Rice

Whether a bilayer structure forms at the pyrite surface cannot be ascertained from the experimental results.

Geochemical Transactions

Whether their 244 respondents were non-biologists, biologists, or some mixture of both cannot be ascertained.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

This result implies that both phases become indistinguishable and the boundary between them cannot be ascertained.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be ascertained" when you want to express that it's impossible to find something out with the information you currently have.

Common error

While "cannot be ascertained" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing seem weak. Consider rewriting the sentence to emphasize who or what is unable to ascertain the information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be ascertained" functions as a descriptor indicating that something is impossible to know or determine with certainty. It is often used in academic writing and formal reports to express limitations in knowledge, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be ascertained" is a formal phrase used to express the impossibility of knowing something with the available information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts. While effective, be mindful of overusing the passive voice and consider stronger verbs when possible. Alternative phrases like "cannot be determined" or "remains unknown" can offer variety while maintaining clarity and precision. Understanding these nuances will enhance your writing and ensure accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be determined

Changes the verb to 'determined', suggesting a more active process of investigation that yields no results.

cannot be established

Replaces 'ascertained' with 'established', implying the impossibility of proving or confirming something.

cannot be known

Uses a simpler verb 'known', making the phrase more direct and less formal.

remains unknown

Shifts the focus to the state of being unknown, rather than the inability to find out.

cannot be verified

Emphasizes the lack of confirmation or validation.

cannot be confirmed

Similar to 'verified', but focuses on the lack of agreement or support.

is not clear

A more general statement of uncertainty, applicable in a wider range of contexts.

is impossible to know

Highlights the impossibility of gaining knowledge about something.

remains uncertain

Highlights the continuous state of uncertainty

is open to question

Suggests that the matter is debatable or not yet resolved.

FAQs

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

"Cannot be ascertained" is used to indicate that something is impossible to know or determine with the available information. For example, "The long-term effects of the medication "cannot be ascertained" without further research."

What is a more formal alternative to "cannot be ascertained"?

A more formal alternative is "cannot be determined". Both phrases express uncertainty, but "cannot be determined" is slightly more direct.

Which is correct, "cannot be ascertained" or "can not be ascertained"?

"Cannot be ascertained" is the correct form. "Cannot" is a single word, while "can not" is typically used in cases where "not" is negating a different part of the sentence.

What's the difference between "cannot be ascertained" and "cannot be confirmed"?

"Cannot be ascertained" implies an inability to discover something, while "cannot be confirmed" suggests that something lacks validation or proof.