cannot be discerned

USAGE SUMMARY

“cannot be discerned” is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means that something is not able to be perceived or understood. It is typically used to describe a situation or object that is unclear or difficult to understand. Example: The true intentions of the new CEO cannot be discerned from his ambiguous statements and elusive behavior.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But even if the cause cannot be discerned or corrected, tinnitus can be treated.

The New York Times - Health

However, in most patients, the specific defect causing salt-dependent hypertension cannot be discerned.

Cell Metabolism

At this level of sharpness individual pixels cannot be discerned by the human eye.

Independent

But even if the cause cannot be discerned or removed, treatment to relieve tinnitus is still possible.

The New York Times - Health

But he thought that the spiritual development of a people cannot be discerned by purely rational processes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Whereas the specific pathway involved cannot be discerned from the present studies, it clearly does not involve PI3K as none of the three antagonists tested were effective.

Nature

The scattered tents are all but invisible to passing cars, deep in the shade of redwoods so lofty that their crowns cannot be discerned.

The Guardian

Inflammation is a dynamic, complex system whose function, like that of an analog clock, cannot be discerned simply from a laundry list of its parts (data).

Drug Discovery Today: Disease Models

Findings are most plausibly explained as a result of participant awareness and cognitions, although the nature of these cognitions cannot be discerned from this study.

Appetite

This indicates that a temporally random process, signal shredding, or summation of non-random processes that cannot be discerned from a random signal, are triggering canyon flushing events.

Marine Geology

The drivers of these changes are poorly understood and their impacts on biodiversity conservation in farmed landscapes cannot be discerned from the national indicators currently being monitored.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be discerned" when you want to express that something is genuinely impossible to perceive or understand, not merely difficult.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be discerned" when simpler phrases like "cannot be seen" or "is unclear" would suffice. The phrase adds formality, so reserve it for situations where precision and a degree of sophistication are desired.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be discerned" functions as a passive construction indicating the impossibility of perceiving or understanding something. Ludwig examples show its use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

19%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be discerned" is a commonly used phrase to express the inability to perceive or understand something clearly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it carries a formal tone. When writing, use it to convey genuine impossibility of perception, and avoid overuse in simple situations. Alternatives include "is imperceptible" and "remains unclear". Ludwig examples showcase its diverse applications, underlining its importance in academic, scientific, and formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is indiscernible

A more formal synonym, stressing the lack of distinction or differentiation.

is indistinguishable

Stresses the inability to tell the difference between things.

is imperceptible

Focuses on the lack of ability to perceive something, emphasizing its subtle nature.

is undetectable

Highlights the inability to detect something, suggesting it's beyond the reach of current methods or senses.

is unnoticeable

Emphasizes the lack of attention or awareness something receives.

remains unclear

Emphasizes the lack of clarity surrounding a particular issue or subject.

is not evident

Highlights the absence of obvious or apparent signs.

escapes detection

Focuses on the act of avoiding being noticed or discovered.

is beyond perception

Highlights the limits of what can be sensed or understood.

is beyond comprehension

Indicates that something is impossible to understand or grasp.

FAQs

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

You can use "cannot be discerned" to indicate that something is not easily perceived or understood. For example, "The subtle nuances of the painting "cannot be discerned" without careful examination".

What are some alternatives to "cannot be discerned"?

Alternatives include "is imperceptible", "is undetectable", or "remains unclear", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "cannot be discerned" or "cannot be seen"?

"Cannot be discerned" implies a deeper level of difficulty in understanding or perceiving, while "cannot be seen" refers specifically to visual perception. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "cannot be discerned" and "cannot be understood"?

"Cannot be discerned" suggests an inability to perceive or distinguish something, whereas "cannot be understood" implies a lack of comprehension. While related, they emphasize different aspects of a lack of clarity.