cannot be known

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "cannot be known" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express that something is impossible to understand or determine. For example: 1. The future cannot be known for sure, but we can prepare for any possibilities. 2. Some mysteries of the universe cannot be known with our current technology. 3. The true intentions of the suspect cannot be known until further investigation is conducted. 4. The exact details of the historical event cannot be known as there are conflicting accounts. 5. The mind of a person cannot be known completely, as thoughts and feelings can be hidden.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unfortunately, they cannot be known precisely.

Acta Astronautica

Shakespeare's own religious views cannot be known with certainty.

Britannica

Whether Ubani would have passed its requirements cannot be known.

The Guardian

The answers cannot be known for days, if not weeks.

The New York Times - Health

Whether that was the judge's intent cannot be known.

The New York Times - Health

But this cannot be known until the same trials and measurements are done with SRI methods.

Cornell University

"Uncertainty," by contrast, refers to an event whose probability cannot be known.

Cornell University

Whether underconfidence is more or less epistemically harmful than overconfidence cannot be known a priori.

Nature

Whether Mr. Hariri would have succeeded in his efforts cannot be known.

The New York Times

But many factors cannot be known in advance: weather, terrain conditions, snowpack, and so on.

Harvard Business Review

It cannot be known merely through reflection, prior to any experience.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be known", ensure the context clearly establishes what specific information or fact is impossible to ascertain.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be known" when the situation merely involves a high degree of uncertainty; instead, use phrases like "is uncertain" or "remains unclear" to better reflect the ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be known" functions as a passive construction indicating an inability or impossibility to acquire knowledge about something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Academia

13%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be known" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in the English language. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it conveys the impossibility of knowing or determining something with certainty. Its versatility allows it to appear in diverse contexts such as science, news, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "is unknowable" or "cannot be ascertained" exist, "cannot be known" maintains a neutral to formal register suitable for various writing styles. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in defining what specific information is beyond reach and avoid using it when only a high degree of uncertainty is involved. As such, this expression remains a valuable tool for acknowledging the limits of knowledge and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unknowable

Single word change; more concise.

is impossible to know

Rephrasing using "impossible" to emphasize certainty of not knowing.

cannot be determined

Focuses on the inability to establish or find something out.

cannot be ascertained

Uses a more formal and technical term for determining something.

is not possible to find out

A more verbose way of expressing the impossibility of gaining knowledge.

remains a mystery

Expresses that the information is puzzling and difficult to understand.

lies beyond our knowledge

Highlights that the information exists outside the scope of current understanding.

is beyond comprehension

Emphasizes the difficulty in understanding due to complexity.

defies understanding

Implies that the subject resists being understood.

is not within the realm of possibility

Highlights the impossibility of knowing from a practical standpoint.

FAQs

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

The phrase "cannot be known" is used to indicate that something is impossible to determine or understand. For example, "The long-term effects of the policy "cannot be known" until it has been implemented for several years."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be known"?

Alternatives include "is unknowable", "is impossible to know", or "remains a mystery". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "cannot be known" in formal writing?

Yes, "cannot be known" is appropriate for formal writing, as it's grammatically correct and conveys a clear meaning. It's suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts.

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

"Cannot be known" implies an inherent impossibility of knowing, while "is not known" simply indicates a current lack of knowledge. For example, "The location of the missing artifact "cannot be known"" suggests it is fundamentally impossible to find, whereas "The location of the artifact "is not known"" means its location is currently unknown but could potentially be discovered.