cannot be shown

USAGE SUMMARY

"cannot be shown" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that cannot be demonstrated or is not visible. For example: "We cannot be sure if the negative effects of this procedure are long-term, as they cannot be shown until after a period of time has passed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such misapplication cannot be shown to be an invidious discrimination.

Cornell University

An influence of the boundary foils cannot be shown.

Chemical Engineering Journal

Under longstanding industry practices, the same film cannot be shown in two nearby theaters.

The New York Times

(The original cannot be shown because any exposure to light would destroy it).

The New York Times - Arts

Our players cannot be shown especially with other flags, especially the South Korean one.

The Guardian - Sport

The progression of a disease or a birth cannot be shown in real time.

The Guardian

But it cannot be shown by some grand scene or speech.

The Guardian - Books

3) It consequently saves money by not funding programs that cannot be shown to be effective.

The Washington Post

It must be noted that, due to ethical reasons, individual faces cannot be shown.

Nature

State interference is an evil, where it cannot be shown to be a good.

Harvard University

He said: "The human remains that were found and analysed cannot be shown to be part of that incident".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be shown", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific type of demonstration or evidence is lacking. For example, specify whether empirical evidence, logical proof, or visual representation is missing.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be shown" when the situation implies only a temporary lack of evidence or a difficulty in proving something, rather than an absolute impossibility. Use alternative phrases like "has not been shown yet" or "is difficult to demonstrate" to convey a more nuanced meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be shown" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating the impossibility or inability to demonstrate, prove, or display something. It combines the negative form of the modal verb 'can' with the passive voice to express that something is not capable of being exhibited or proven. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it's commonly used across varied domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be shown" is a versatile expression used to indicate the impossibility of demonstrating or proving something. Ludwig's analysis confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While the phrase is often neutral in tone, it carries a formal undertone due to its frequent use in professional writing. Remember to use "cannot be shown" when something is truly impossible to demonstrate, and ensure that the context clarifies the specific type of evidence that is lacking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be demonstrated

Emphasizes the inability to prove something through evidence or logical reasoning.

cannot be proven

Highlights the lack of sufficient evidence to establish something as true.

cannot be confirmed

Highlights lack of ability to prove something is true.

cannot be evidenced

Stresses the absence of supporting evidence for a claim or statement.

cannot be visualized

Focuses on the impossibility of creating a visual representation of something.

cannot be displayed

Refers to the inability to present or exhibit something.

cannot be established

Highlights the difficulty in setting up or proving a point.

cannot be ascertained

Emphasizes the impossibility of finding something out for certain.

cannot be revealed

Focuses on the impossibility of exposing something hidden.

cannot be exhibited

Highlights the impossibility of demonstrating or displaying something publicly.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be shown" to indicate that something is impossible to demonstrate or prove. For instance, "The long-term effects of the medication "cannot be shown" in short-term trials."

What's a formal alternative to "cannot be shown"?

A formal alternative is "cannot be demonstrated". For example, "That the hypothesis holds true in all cases "cannot be demonstrated" empirically."

Is it better to use "cannot be shown" or "cannot be proven"?

Both "cannot be shown" and "cannot be proven" are valid. The choice depends on the context. "Cannot be shown" is broader, referring to any form of demonstration, while "cannot be proven" specifically refers to a lack of proof.

What does "cannot be shown" imply?

It implies that, given the current evidence or methods, there is no way to demonstrate the truth or existence of something. It suggests a fundamental limitation rather than a temporary obstacle.