could not be acknowledged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not be acknowledged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is not recognized, accepted, or validated, often in formal or professional communication. Example: "Due to the overwhelming number of submissions, some entries could not be acknowledged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

However, the real issue could not be acknowledged because of the amnesty law.

The New York Times - Books

Whatever institutionalised strength was locked in this plural was about to fly apart, or had already done so, but for now it could not be acknowledged, and bravery was demanded of even the youngest.

The Guardian - Books

A REST-based API should not define fixed resources names, so the complete interface of a service could not be acknowledged a priori.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

We say 'égalité, fraternité.' " The crime of slavery couldn't be acknowledged, because of the vast fortunes made from it.

The New Yorker

You can hear her singing towards the end of 'William's Blood'; she also did backing vocals on 'My Jamaican Guy' but couldn't be acknowledged, for fear of upsetting the church elders.

The Guardian - Music

There were blinding hatreds in the air that couldn't be named; there was sex that couldn't be spoken of; there were deep mysteries that had to be sanitized and secularized; there was deep competitiveness and there were deep character flaws that couldn't be acknowledged".

The New York Times - Books

As long as the agencies' existence had not been acknowledged, their officers could never be admitted to be crown servants, and so were effectively exempt from that law.

The Guardian

But unlike Garland, she had a masculine, street-fighting toughness and, incidentally, lived at a time when any fanbase of gay men could not be officially acknowledged.

The Guardian - Film

Israel could not be expected to acknowledge the right of return of the Palestinian refugees because that would "threaten the very foundations" of the nation, he said.

The New York Times

Lord McAlpine could not be expected to acknowledge the degree of misinformation and disinformation employed in the attacks on the Labour Party, but in all other respects his assessment is correct.

The Guardian

Individual variation in responses was acknowledged but could not be analyzed due to lack of information or tools to analyze individual genetic make-ups and lifestyle factors such as diet and activity.

European Journal of Pharmacology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could not be acknowledged" when you want to express that something was impossible or prohibited to recognize, accept or admit, due to certain constraints or circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "could not be acknowledged" when you intend to express a lack of knowledge. It's for situations where acknowledgement was actively prevented, not simply absent. For example, prefer "was not aware of" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not be acknowledged" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating that something was impossible or forbidden to be recognized, accepted, or admitted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and suitable for formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could not be acknowledged" is a grammatically sound and relatively common modal passive construction used to express that something was impossible or forbidden to be recognized or accepted. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suitability for formal contexts. While alternatives like "could not be recognized" or "could not be admitted" exist, the specific nuance often dictates the most appropriate choice. It's crucial to differentiate this passive constraint from a simple lack of awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could not be recognized

Focuses on the inability to identify or perceive something.

could not be admitted

Emphasizes the refusal to accept something as true or valid.

could not be validated

Highlights the lack of confirmation or proof.

could not be recognized officially

Specifies that the lack of acknowledgement is formal or sanctioned.

was not allowed to be acknowledged

Indicates that there was a prohibition against acknowledging something.

could not be owned up to

Emphasizes the refusal to take responsibility or confess something.

could not be taken into account

Highlights that something was not able to be considered or factored in.

had to be ignored

Focuses on the deliberate act of disregarding something.

remained unacknowledged

Highlights that something has not received acknowledgement and continues in that state.

was impossible to acknowledge

Indicates there were insurmountable barriers to providing acknowledgement.

FAQs

How can I use "could not be acknowledged" in a sentence?

You can use "could not be acknowledged" to indicate that something was impossible or not allowed to be recognized or admitted. For example, "The truth "could not be acknowledged" due to political pressure."

What are some alternatives to "could not be acknowledged"?

Alternatives include "could not be recognized", "could not be admitted", or "could not be validated". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever appropriate to use "couldn't be acknowledged"?

Yes, "couldn't be acknowledged" is simply the contracted form of "could not be acknowledged" and is perfectly acceptable in less formal contexts. The meaning remains the same.

What is the difference between "could not acknowledge" and "could not be acknowledged"?

"Could not acknowledge" implies an active inability to acknowledge something. "Could not be acknowledged" implies a passive state where something was impossible or disallowed to be acknowledged by someone or something.