cannot be confirmed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be confirmed" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that something is not able to be verified or proven to be true. Example: The validity of the witness's testimony cannot be confirmed as there were no other witnesses present during the incident.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That allegation cannot be confirmed.

The New York Times

A reservation cannot be confirmed until this form is received.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The authenticity of the recordings, however, cannot be confirmed.

The Guardian

This hypothesis cannot be confirmed for the male subgroup.

Journal of Voice

However, formation of ω phase cannot be confirmed.

Electrochimica Acta

"If the detection cannot be confirmed, then the team must publish a statement clearly stating that the signal cannot be confirmed to be of ETI origin," they recommend.

MIT Technology Review

But because the charges were dropped and the record sealed, that cannot be confirmed.

The New York Times

With hundreds arriving in all three countries every day, Kovács's figures cannot be confirmed.

The Guardian

"The number and the location of these people cannot be confirmed," Foreign Minister Leonardo Simao said.

The New York Times

That money is not included here because the donors cannot be confirmed.

The New York Times

"First reports about a possible robbery cannot be confirmed so far," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be confirmed", ensure that you clearly state the reason why the information cannot be verified. Providing context enhances transparency and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be confirmed" when there is definitive evidence disproving a claim. This phrase is best suited when information is lacking, not when it's demonstrably false.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be confirmed" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility or ability. It expresses that something lacks verification or proof at the present time. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts where information is uncertain.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be confirmed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used modal verb phrase employed to express a lack of verification or proof. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to indicate uncertainty across various domains such as science, news, and academia. When using this phrase, it's best to provide context for why the information remains unconfirmed and to avoid using it when definitive evidence disproves a claim. Alternatives like "cannot be verified" and "remains unconfirmed" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be verified

Replaces "confirmed" with "verified", emphasizing the lack of proof.

cannot be substantiated

Substitutes "confirmed" with "substantiated", highlighting the absence of supporting evidence.

cannot be authenticated

Replaces "confirmed" with "authenticated", focusing on the inability to prove genuineness.

cannot be validated

Substitutes "confirmed" with "validated", stressing the lack of formal approval or correctness.

remains unconfirmed

Uses a passive construction to indicate the ongoing lack of confirmation.

is not verifiable

Emphasizes the impossibility of verification.

lacks confirmation

Highlights the absence of confirmation as a missing element.

is unproven

Indicates the statement or claim has not been proven true.

remains to be seen

Expresses that the truth or outcome is yet to be determined or confirmed.

is open to question

Suggests that the validity or accuracy is doubtful and requires further scrutiny.

FAQs

How to use "cannot be confirmed" in a sentence?

Use "cannot be confirmed" when you want to express that certain information is not yet, or may never be, verified or proven. For example, "The initial reports of the incident "cannot be confirmed" due to the lack of witnesses".

What can I say instead of "cannot be confirmed"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be verified", "cannot be substantiated", or "remains unconfirmed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cannot be confirmed" or "can't be confirmed"?

"Cannot be confirmed" and "can't be confirmed" are both grammatically correct. The former is more formal, while the latter is a contraction and more suitable for informal contexts. Both express that something lacks verification.

What's the difference between "cannot be confirmed" and "has not been confirmed"?

"Cannot be confirmed" implies that it is currently impossible to verify something, possibly indefinitely. "Has not been confirmed" suggests that verification is possible in the future, but hasn't happened yet. The difference lies in the implication of future possibility.