cannot determine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot determine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an inability to make a decision or come to a conclusion about something. Example: "Due to the lack of evidence, we cannot determine the cause of the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

America cannot determine the future of Egypt.

The New York Times

"We cannot determine guilt or innocence.

The New York Times

Yet, technology alone cannot determine revolutions.

The Guardian - Opinion

"What worries me is a lot of kids affected in some way we cannot determine yet".

The New York Times - Health

We cannot determine whether or not a movie will be played in movie theaters," said Lynton.

The Guardian - Film

Many customers complain that they cannot determine what savings ESCOs offer, if any.

The New York Times

Because H.I.V. reporting is based on standard tests, health workers cannot determine when someone became infected.

The New York Times - Health

To be sure, scientific evidence alone cannot determine our drug policy.

The Guardian - Opinion

And it cannot determine the rules for the powerful nations in the area.

The New Yorker

"McDonald's does not and cannot determine wages set by our 3,100 US franchisees".

The Guardian - Business

Satellites constantly monitor the sea's surface temperatures but cannot determine the temperatures of deeper layers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot determine", ensure the reason for the inability to determine is clear or implied from the context. Providing context enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot determine" without specifying what you are unable to determine. Vague language reduces the impact and clarity of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot determine" functions as a negative declarative, expressing an inability or impossibility to ascertain, decide, or establish something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to indicate a lack of certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot determine" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey an inability to ascertain, establish, or decide something with certainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, primarily in news, media, and scientific domains. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. While alternatives like "unable to ascertain" and "impossible to know" offer similar meanings, "cannot determine" maintains a balance of clarity and professionalism. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the reason for the inability to determine, avoiding vague language to enhance understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot ascertain

Synonymous replacement of "determine" with "ascertain", emphasizing the impossibility of finding something out.

cannot establish

Synonymous replacement of "determine" with "establish", highlighting the impossibility of proving something.

unable to ascertain

Replaces "cannot" with "unable", and "determine" with "ascertain", indicating a lack of ability to find something out for certain.

unable to conclude

Replaces "determine" with "conclude", emphasizing the inability to reach a final judgment or decision.

unable to establish

Replaces "determine" with "establish", focusing on the inability to prove or set something firmly.

unable to discern

Replaces "determine" with "discern", focusing on the inability to perceive or recognize something clearly.

impossible to know

Shifts the focus to the impossibility of knowing something, rather than the act of determining.

beyond our ability to know

Emphasizes the limitations in capability to reach a conclusion.

cannot resolve

Focuses on the inability to find a solution or explanation.

cannot figure out

Uses a more informal phrasing, where "figure out" replaces "determine", to indicate a struggle to understand.

FAQs

What does "cannot determine" mean?

The phrase "cannot determine" means that it is impossible or not possible to find out, establish, or decide something with certainty. It indicates a lack of definitive information or the inability to reach a conclusion.

How to use "cannot determine" in a sentence?

You can use "cannot determine" when expressing an inability to ascertain something. For example: "We "cannot determine" the exact cause of the error".

What can I say instead of "cannot determine"?

You can use alternatives like "unable to ascertain", "impossible to know", or "unable to establish" depending on the context.

Is "cannot determine" formal or informal?

"Cannot determine" is generally considered neutral and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality often depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.