cannot be established

USAGE SUMMARY

"cannot be established" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is usually used when something is difficult to prove or ascertain. For example, "The exact cause of the accident cannot be established."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Historic districts cannot be established overnight.

The New York Times

This, however, cannot be established reliably before birth.

Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Hence, a general equivalence between the formulations cannot be established.

Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics

Therefore, their overall effectiveness cannot be established at this time.

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Where functional usefulness cannot be established, dialogue must be left out".

The New Yorker

The integrity of my life cannot be established once and for all but is inherently fragile.

Yale University

Employers may "pool" earnings only where piece rates cannot be established for each individual worker.

Cornell University

Basically, a picture of an Anglo-American or continental European accounting model cannot be established.

Accounting, Organizations and Society

Automobile seat design specifications cannot be established without considering the comfort expectations of the target population.

Applied Ergonomics

This is a good first step.Obviously, secure property rights cannot be established overnight.

The Economist

According to current scientific knowledge, safe thresholds for genotoxin consumption cannot be established.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "cannot be established", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is lacking: proof, evidence, confirmation, etc. Be specific about why something "cannot be established".

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be established" as a vague dismissal. Always provide context or explanation as to why the establishment is impossible or difficult. For example, instead of saying "Causality cannot be established", clarify why: "Causality "cannot be established" due to the limitations of the study design".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be established" functions as a modal passive construction. It indicates the impossibility or inability to prove, create, or determine something definitively. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

18%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be established" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express the inability to prove, determine, or create something definitively. Ludwig AI confirms this. Its usage is particularly common in academic and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it's best to provide context to explain the impossibility or difficulty. Alternatives like "cannot be determined" or "cannot be proven" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remember to avoid vagueness and be specific about what "cannot be established" and why.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be proven

Focuses specifically on the lack of verifiable evidence.

cannot be determined

Emphasizes the inability to find something out or establish it with certainty.

cannot be ascertained

A more formal alternative to 'determined', suggesting difficulty in finding something out.

cannot be confirmed

Highlights the inability to verify the truth or accuracy of something.

cannot be verified

Similar to 'confirmed', focusing on the impossibility of proving something's truth.

cannot be validated

Highlights that the validity of something is not supported.

cannot be demonstrated

Emphasizes the lack of a clear example to support something.

cannot be substantiated

Focuses on the lack of evidence to support a claim or idea.

cannot be instituted

Addresses the impossibility to start something.

cannot be inaugurated

Focuses on the fact that something cannot be formally started.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be established" to express that something is impossible to prove, create, or determine with the available information. For example: "A definitive link between the two events "cannot be established"".

What are some alternatives to "cannot be established"?

Alternatives include "cannot be determined", "cannot be proven", or "cannot be confirmed". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "cannot establish" or "cannot be established"?

"Cannot establish" implies an active effort that is failing, whereas "cannot be established" suggests a state of impossibility, regardless of effort. Choose the phrase that best reflects the context of your writing. E.g., Researchers cannot establish this fact vs the fact cannot be established.

In academic writing, is "cannot be established" considered formal?

Yes, "cannot be established" is suitable for formal and academic writing. It conveys a sense of objectivity and is commonly used in research papers, reports, and scholarly articles to indicate limitations or uncertainties.