cannot confirm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot confirm" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that one is unable to verify or validate a statement or piece of information. Example: "At this time, we cannot confirm the details of the report until further investigation is completed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We cannot confirm that.

The New York Times

We cannot confirm this.

The Guardian

I cannot confirm the story.

Independent

The Guardian cannot confirm that.

The Guardian

Again, we cannot confirm this.

The Guardian

The Guardian cannot confirm this.

The Guardian

I cannot confirm, deny or comment".

The New York Times

"We cannot confirm the suspect is dead".

The New Yorker

"We cannot confirm," an official insisted.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, genetics cannot confirm the month.

The Economist

Reason he cannot confirm hospital room?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot confirm" when you genuinely lack the ability or authority to verify information. Avoid using it as a way to deflect or avoid answering a question directly when you actually have information.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot confirm" repeatedly in close succession without providing context. This can come across as evasive or untrustworthy. Offer an explanation if possible, such as "We are still gathering information and cannot confirm the details at this time."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot confirm" functions as a declarative statement indicating an inability to verify or validate a specific piece of information. As shown by Ludwig, this usage is quite common across different contexts. This construction is usually followed by the subject of the unconfirmed information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot confirm" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase for expressing an inability to verify certain information. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, maintaining a generally neutral tone. To avoid sounding evasive, provide context or explanations when using this phrase. Consider alternatives like "unable to verify" or "cannot validate" depending on your intended nuance. Overall, based on the data, Ludwig confirms that "cannot confirm" is a reliable way to indicate a lack of certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot verify

A more concise way of saying "cannot confirm", emphasizing the impossibility of verification.

unable to verify

Focuses on the lack of ability to check the truth or accuracy of something.

cannot validate

Similar to "unable to validate", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on formal approval.

unable to validate

Highlights the inability to prove something is correct or sound.

cannot ascertain

A more direct equivalent highlighting the impossibility of definitively learning something.

unable to ascertain

Emphasizes the difficulty in finding something out for certain.

cannot guarantee

Shifts the focus to the lack of a firm promise or assurance.

unable to guarantee

Implies an inability to provide a firm assurance or promise.

not in a position to confirm

Indicates a lack of authorization or ability to confirm due to circumstances.

we have no confirmation

Emphasizes the absence of supporting evidence or verification.

FAQs

How do I use "cannot confirm" in a sentence?

Use "cannot confirm" when you want to express that you are unable to verify or validate certain information. For instance, "We "cannot confirm" the accuracy of that report at this time."

What are some alternatives to "cannot confirm"?

You can use alternatives like "unable to verify", "cannot verify", or "unable to validate" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "cannot confirm" or "can't confirm"?

Both "cannot confirm" and "can't confirm" are grammatically correct. "Cannot confirm" is slightly more formal, while "can't confirm" is more conversational. Choose the one that fits the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "cannot confirm" and "cannot deny"?

"Cannot confirm" means you lack the ability to verify information. "Cannot deny" implies you are not able to state something is untrue, which might suggest that it could be true. They have different meanings and should be used accordingly.