cannot corroborate

USAGE SUMMARY

"cannot corroborate" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means that the speaker or writer is unable to verify or support a statement or claim with evidence or other sources. Example: The witness's testimony cannot be corroborated by any other witnesses.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

I did not travel to Syria, so I cannot corroborate his account".

The New York Times

The Guardian has been able to independently verify the details of Karikalan's own claim to asylum, but cannot corroborate his claims about the torture of others, as they have not been formally assessed.

The Guardian

To the extent that the details might have become known to the suspect from secondhand sources, a statement loses its diagnostic value and cannot corroborate the admission of guilt.

The New York Times

One man, whose videotaped interrogation was made available to The New York Times today, gave accounts that did not make sense and which the police say they cannot corroborate.

The New York Times

In any case, these results cannot corroborate or disprove that there is a relationship between these two emissions.

Earth, Planets and Space

That said, we cannot corroborate or confirm many of the situations described," said Rhodes.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

This planned attack is reportedly aimed at sparking sectarian clashes across Nigeria". 27. (S//NF) DS/TIA/ITA cannot immediately corroborate the current threat with additional intelligence.

The Guardian

Myanmar, where the majority of people are Buddhist, has blocked access to the area, meaning the Guardian cannot independently corroborate the villagers' accounts.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, the present study cannot completely corroborate the significance of comorbidities for guideline adherence, as only NYHA and ASA scores were recorded.

BMC Cancer

We cannot, however, corroborate the use of CBCs to delimit species, because CBCs are very rare even among distantly related species in Lycaenidae and, at least, for this group their absence is not a useful predictor for sexual compatibility as claimed by Coleman et al. [ 37].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

As discussed here, all but one report either cannot be corroborated or are demonstrably erroneous.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prioritize this phrase when precision is crucial, ensuring readers understand the limitations of your information.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot corroborate" when there is clear evidence disproving a claim. This phrase is best suited for situations where verification is simply not possible, not when the claim is proven false.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot corroborate" functions as a statement of inability to verify or confirm information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to express a lack of supporting evidence for a claim. This is shown in Ludwig's examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot corroborate" indicates an inability to confirm or verify information, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is a grammatically correct and neutral expression suitable for various contexts, especially in news and scientific reporting. When using this phrase, it's best to provide context regarding the reasons for the lack of verification. While relatively uncommon, as highlighted by Ludwig's frequency analysis, mastering its usage adds precision and clarity to your writing. Remember to avoid using this phrase when concrete evidence disproves a claim.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to confirm

Focuses on the inability to establish certainty.

unable to verify

Highlights the lack of proof or validation.

cannot authenticate

Emphasizes the inability to prove genuineness.

unable to validate

Stresses the failure to confirm accuracy.

cannot substantiate

Highlights the lack of evidence to support something.

cannot prove

Simple and direct expression of the inability to establish truth.

unable to demonstrate

Focuses on the lack of ability to show or display evidence.

cannot affirm

Emphasizes the inability to declare something as true.

lack the evidence to support

Highlights the absence of supporting information.

there's no way to verify

More colloquial way of saying verification isn't possible.

FAQs

What does "cannot corroborate" mean?

The phrase "cannot corroborate" signifies the inability to confirm or support a statement, claim, or piece of information with evidence or reliable sources. It indicates a lack of verification.

When should I use "cannot corroborate" in my writing?

Use "cannot corroborate" when you want to express that certain information lacks supporting evidence or verification. It's suitable when you can't confirm the truth or accuracy of something due to insufficient proof.

What are some alternatives to "cannot corroborate"?

Alternatives include phrases like "unable to confirm", "unable to verify", or "cannot substantiate". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "cannot corroborate" or "cannot be corroborated"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different uses. "Cannot corroborate" is used when someone is unable to confirm something. "Cannot be corroborated" is used when something is impossible to confirm.