cannot be distinguished from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be distinguished from" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that two or more things are so similar that they cannot be told apart. Example: "In this experiment, the results from the two groups cannot be distinguished from each other, indicating that the treatment had no significant effect."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Stutters cannot be distinguished from minor alleles.

Forensic Science International: Genetics

Partial-birth abortion cannot be distinguished from infanticide.

The New York Times

However the kinematic errors cannot be distinguished from each other by means of these test pieces.

Precision Engineering

Unfortunately, Mg3N2 cannot be distinguished from MgO through these two peaks.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The fact is, whether France likes it or not, Mr. Bush cannot be distinguished from America.

The New York Times

In practice, political prisoners often cannot be distinguished from other types of prisoners.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Certainly they cannot be distinguished from the special orders which respondent receives from its customers.

Cornell University

It follows that this case cannot be distinguished from Adair v. United States.

Cornell University

The age of the stands can be identified as an important variable, but cannot be distinguished from spatial autocorrelation effects.

Ecological Engineering

Support excitations can introduce motions that cannot be distinguished from the Coriolis force induced motion, thus introducing a measurement error.

Mechatronics

When the film is stoichiometric, the XRD spectrum cannot be distinguished from that of the single crystal SrTiO3 substrate.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be distinguished from", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being compared and why their similarity is significant. This is especially important in scientific or technical writing where precision is key.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be distinguished from" when there are subtle but measurable differences. Overstating the lack of distinction can undermine the accuracy and credibility of your writing. Always verify that the differences are truly negligible or irrelevant within the given context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be distinguished from" functions as a comparative descriptor, indicating that two or more entities are so similar that they lack any discernible differences. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a wide range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

74%

News & Media

12%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be distinguished from" is a versatile expression used to convey a lack of discernible difference between entities. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in scientific, academic, and news contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the comparison is clearly defined and justified by evidence. While alternative phrases like "indistinguishable from" or "impossible to differentiate from" exist, "cannot be distinguished from" remains a precise and effective way to communicate similarity. Be aware of overstating indistinguishability and confirm that the differences are negligible or irrelevant in context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indistinguishable from

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adjective, maintaining the core meaning of a lack of discernible difference.

impossible to differentiate from

Emphasizes the impossibility of telling the difference, adding a stronger sense of certainty.

not able to be told apart from

Breaks down the phrase into simpler terms, focusing on the act of distinguishing as "telling apart".

no different than

Simplifies the expression to a direct comparison of equality, highlighting the lack of difference.

essentially the same as

Indicates that the items are fundamentally alike, though minor differences might exist.

virtually identical to

Highlights a very high degree of similarity, bordering on perfect equivalence.

bears a striking resemblance to

Focuses on the notable similarity in appearance or characteristics.

mirrors

Implies a perfect reflection or near-perfect correspondence.

akin to

Suggests a similarity in nature or qualities, implying a connection or likeness.

amounts to the same thing as

Indicates that, despite potential surface differences, the ultimate outcome or effect is equivalent.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot be distinguished from" in a sentence?

Use "cannot be distinguished from" to indicate that two or more things are so similar that it is impossible to tell them apart. For example: "These two species "cannot be distinguished from" each other based on their physical appearance."

What's a more formal way to say "cannot be distinguished from"?

A more formal alternative to "cannot be distinguished from" is "indistinguishable from" or "impossible to differentiate from". For example: "The isotopic signatures were "indistinguishable from" background levels."

What's the difference between "cannot be distinguished from" and "similar to"?

"Cannot be distinguished from" implies a complete lack of discernible difference, while "similar to" suggests that there are resemblances but also some differences. If there are minor differences, you might want to use "similar to".

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be distinguished from" in scientific writing?

In scientific writing, use "cannot be distinguished from" when empirical evidence demonstrates that two or more entities or measurements yield statistically identical results. This phrase must only be used when there's a concrete demonstration of indistinguishability.