cannot be corroborated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be corroborated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a claim or statement lacks supporting evidence or verification. Example: "The witness's account of the events cannot be corroborated by any other evidence presented in the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

As discussed here, all but one report either cannot be corroborated or are demonstrably erroneous.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

These boys were shot with bullets in the chest". Opposition fighters also spoke of active police snipers, though such rumour has coursing through the protest movement for weeks and cannot be corroborated.

The Guardian

Claims, allegations, material facts and other content that cannot be corroborated should normally be attributed.

BBC

Detailed studies on the gynoecia in the Magnoliaceae have demonstrated that this oversimplification cannot be corroborated (Tucker 1961; Eyde 1975; Tucker 1975; Ueda 1982; Endress et al. 2000; Xu and Rudall 2006; Fu et al. 2009; Deroin 2010).

Botanical Studies

Meanwhile, the clear pH dependency of the mechanical and morphological characteristics of EPS and LPS layers, observed in previous studies through atomic force microscopy, adhesion tests and spectroscopies, cannot be corroborated by the electrohydrodynamics-based soft particle characteristics which does not exhibited a clear pH dependency in this study.

Geochemical Transactions

Meanwhile, the clear pH dependency of the mechanical and morphological characteristics of EPS and LPS layers, observed in previous studies through atomic force microscopy, adhesion tests and spectroscopies, cannot be corroborated by the electrohydrodynamics-based soft particle characteristics which do not exhibited a clear pH dependency in this study.

Geochemical Transactions

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

It could not be corroborated".

The Guardian

The death tolls could not be corroborated.

The New York Times

Her story could not be corroborated.

The New York Times

9.46am GMT The satellite imagery must be corroborated, Hishammuddin repeated.

The Guardian

Often one test must be corroborated by another.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "cannot be corroborated", ensure you clearly explain why the information lacks supporting evidence and what attempts were made to verify it.

Common error

Avoid implying that something is definitively false simply because it "cannot be corroborated". Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence; the claim may still be true, just unverifiable with current information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be corroborated" functions as a descriptor, indicating that a statement, claim, or piece of information lacks supporting evidence or validation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be corroborated" correctly signifies the lack of supporting evidence for a statement or claim, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Appearing commonly in News & Media and Scientific contexts, the phrase serves to express uncertainty and highlight the unverified nature of information. When employing this phrase, clearly explain the reasons behind the lack of corroboration and the attempts made to verify it. Avoid overstating the implications, as absence of evidence does not equate to evidence of absence. Related phrases include "lacks substantiation" and "unverifiable claim", offering nuanced alternatives for conveying the same core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacks substantiation

Focuses on the absence of concrete proof or supporting evidence.

cannot be substantiated

Emphasizes the inability to provide evidence to support a claim.

unverifiable claim

Highlights the impossibility of proving the truth or accuracy of a statement.

unconfirmed account

Focuses on the absence of independent verification of a story or narrative.

unsupported assertion

Highlights the lack of backing or validation for a declaration.

no evidence to support

Directly states the absence of proof for a particular claim.

cannot be proven

Indicates the impossibility of demonstrating the truth of something.

remains unproven

Emphasizes that a claim has not yet been successfully demonstrated or verified.

lacking confirmation

Focuses on the absence of official or authoritative verification.

unauthenticated report

Indicates that a report has not been verified as genuine or accurate.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be corroborated" to describe information that lacks supporting evidence. For example, "The witness's statement "cannot be corroborated" by any physical evidence".

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

Alternatives include "cannot be verified", "lacks substantiation", or "unconfirmed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "cannot be corroborated" or "has not been corroborated"?

"Cannot be corroborated" suggests a current inability to verify, while "has not been corroborated" implies a lack of past verification, potentially suggesting future verification is possible. The best choice depends on the context.

What does it mean when a story "cannot be corroborated"?

It means there is no independent evidence or testimony to support the claims made in the story. This doesn't necessarily mean the story is false, but it does mean its accuracy cannot be confirmed.