cannot be supported

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be supported" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when stating that something lacks evidence, justification, or backing. Example: "The claim made in the report cannot be supported by any credible sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The faith in the stock cannot be supported.

The New York Times - Books

While Pico projector is on, camera function cannot be supported".

The New York Times - Tech

Any suggestion to the contrary cannot be supported by any facts".

The New York Times

It makes assertions that cannot be supported and do not reflect Zara's diverse workforce.

The Guardian - Opinion

Morgan Stanley said the accusations were "unfair, inaccurate, and cannot be supported in court".

The New York Times

Those that cannot be supported are simply a waste of planning effort.

Harvard Business Review

Large scale shields cannot be supported by tank structural supports without heat leak through the supports.

Cryogenics

These data indicate routine supplementation of IRN in diets for lactating dairy cows cannot be supported.

The Professional Animal Scientist

Degrees awarded by another institution cannot be supported by Stanford's Burroughs Wellcome Fund PSIA award.

Stanford University

Prohibitive recommendations based on anecdote and case reports cannot be supported.

Stanford University

The claim of repugnancy to the equality clause cannot be supported by mere speculation or conjecture.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When choosing between alternatives, consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Cannot be justified" implies a moral or logical failing, while "cannot be sustained" suggests a resource issue.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be supported" when a weaker expression like "is questionable" or "lacks strong evidence" would be more accurate. Overstating the lack of support can weaken your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be supported" functions as a passive construction indicating a lack of evidence, justification, or resources for a claim or action. As Ludwig confirms, the expression is grammatically sound. The examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts, reflecting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

39%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be supported" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a lack of evidence, justification, or resources. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. While it maintains a neutral to formal tone, it is essential to consider the specific nuances of alternative phrases like "cannot be justified" or "cannot be sustained" to accurately convey the intended meaning. When employing "cannot be supported", provide clear context to strengthen your argument and avoid overstating the implication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be justified

Emphasizes the lack of moral or logical reasoning to defend or validate something.

cannot be upheld

Suggests a failure to maintain or defend a position, decision, or claim.

cannot be sustained

Highlights the inability to maintain something over a period of time due to lack of resources or evidence.

cannot be maintained

Focuses on the inability to keep something in its current state or condition.

cannot be validated

Implies the absence of proof or confirmation of something's accuracy or truth.

cannot be defended

Indicates an inability to protect or argue in favor of something.

cannot be substantiated

Emphasizes the lack of concrete evidence to prove or support a claim.

cannot be proven

Highlights the absence of conclusive evidence to establish the truth of something.

cannot be financed

Focuses on the lack of financial resources to support an activity or project.

cannot be afforded

Highlights the lack of resources, typically monetary, to provide support.

FAQs

How to use "cannot be supported" in a sentence?

The phrase "cannot be supported" is used to indicate a lack of evidence, resources, or justification for a claim, idea, or action. For example, "The argument that the policy will reduce crime cannot be supported by current data."

What can I say instead of "cannot be supported"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be justified", "cannot be upheld", or "cannot be sustained" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cannot be supported" or "can't be supported"?

"Cannot be supported" and "can't be supported" are both grammatically correct. "Cannot" is more formal, while "can't" is a contraction and is more appropriate for informal writing.

What's the difference between "cannot be supported" and "cannot be helped"?

"Cannot be supported" indicates a lack of evidence or resources, while "cannot be helped" implies that a situation is unavoidable or cannot be changed.