cannot be guaranteed

USAGE SUMMARY

'cannot be guarantee' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when someone claims that something is certain to happen and you want to state that you cannot guarantee that it will happen. For example, you can say: "I'm sorry, but a positive outcome cannot be guarantee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that cannot be guaranteed.

The Economist

Restraint, however, cannot be guaranteed.

The Guardian

But a quick victory cannot be guaranteed.

The New York Times

Of course such a rise cannot be guaranteed.

The Economist

With their aim achieved, the right's silence cannot be guaranteed.

The Economist

But the outcome of those negotiations cannot be guaranteed".

The Guardian

The same, suffice to say, cannot be guaranteed elsewhere.

The Guardian - Sport

But the proposed wave of investment cannot be guaranteed.

The Guardian

Resilience cannot be guaranteed without effective workforce relationships.

The Guardian

A sure trail cannot be guaranteed, but an honest effort can.

The New York Times

C.I.T.s will make sincere attempts to match Mom's handwriting, although complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "cannot be guaranteed" with a specific reason or condition explaining the lack of assurance.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be guaranteed" when a more nuanced expression of probability is appropriate. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound overly negative or alarmist. Consider alternatives like "unlikely" or "not always certain" to convey varying degrees of uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be guaranteed" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express uncertainty or lack of assurance regarding a particular outcome or condition. It indicates that a specific result is not certain and should not be taken for granted. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

59%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be guaranteed" is a common and grammatically sound way to express uncertainty or a lack of assurance. As Ludwig AI explains, it's appropriate to use when someone asserts certainty, and you need to convey that the outcome is not definite. The phrase appears frequently in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, reflecting its use in objective reporting and academic discourse, according to Ludwig's examples. While "cannot be guaranteed" is a useful tool for managing expectations, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider nuanced alternatives like "is not certain" or "is not assured" depending on the context. Remember to clearly specify what lacks assurance to maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not guaranteed

More formal and direct synonym, but the meaning is identical to the main query.

cannot be assured

Similar to 'is not assured', but uses 'cannot' to express the impossibility of providing assurance.

is not assured

Emphasizes the lack of certainty or assurance regarding a particular outcome.

is not certain

Highlights the absence of definiteness or sureness about something.

remains uncertain

Emphasizes the ongoing state of uncertainty about something.

is not warranted

Suggests that there's no justification or guarantee for a specific result.

is not a given

Indicates that something should not be taken for granted or assumed to happen.

is doubtful

Suggests a low probability of a positive outcome.

is not set in stone

A more idiomatic way to express that something is not fixed or unchangeable.

is subject to change

Highlights the potential for alterations or modifications, implying a lack of a definitive outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be guaranteed" to express that a particular outcome or result is not certain or assured. For instance, "While we aim to deliver on time, timely delivery "cannot be guaranteed" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be guaranteed"?

You can use alternatives like "is not assured", "is not certain", or "is not a given" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "cannot be guaranteed"?

Yes, "cannot be guaranteed" is grammatically correct. It is a common and acceptable way to express uncertainty or lack of assurance in various forms of writing.

What is the difference between "cannot be guaranteed" and "not guaranteed"?

"Cannot be guaranteed" emphasizes the impossibility of providing assurance, while "not guaranteed" simply states that no assurance is given. The former is slightly stronger in conveying uncertainty. However, they are frequently interchangeable.