could not be determined

USAGE SUMMARY

"could not be determined" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when something is unknown or uncertain. For example, "The cause of the fire could not be determined."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The death toll could not be determined.

The New York Times

Its fate could not be determined.

The New York Times

His whereabouts could not be determined.

The New York Times

Mr. Fawcett's concerns could not be determined.

The New York Times

The gender of one body could not be determined.

The New York Times

The names of the lawmakers could not be determined.

The New York Times

Merrill's plans for replacing Ms. Callies could not be determined.

The New York Times

The identity of that driver could not be determined.

The New York Times

Two more died of causes that could not be determined.

The New York Times

Whether he was sincere or ironic could not be determined.

The New York Times

The exact size of the investment could not be determined.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase when reporting findings in academic or scientific papers, especially when documenting limitations in your data or methodology.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive constructions like "could not be determined" throughout your writing. Sometimes, actively stating what actions were taken to attempt determination can make your writing more engaging and informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not be determined" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating an inability to ascertain or establish something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is typically used to report on findings where definitive conclusions are lacking.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could not be determined" is a versatile and correct phrase that is used to indicate that something is unknown or uncertain. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is commonly found in scientific reports and news articles to report on information that could not be definitively established. When using this phrase, ensure you clarify what specific aspect remains unknown. While grammatically sound, avoid overusing passive constructions. As illustrated by Ludwig, various alternatives such as "could not be ascertained" or "remained unclear" can be used to add variety to your writing. The phrase maintains a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for professional and academic communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could not be ascertained

Emphasizes a failure in the process of finding something out for certain.

could not be established

Focuses on the inability to prove or set something firmly in place.

remained unresolved

Indicates that an issue or question has not been settled or answered.

definitively unknown

Highlights that something is confirmed to not be known.

impossible to determine

Suggests that it was beyond possible to find a solution.

the answer eluded us

The answer or solution could not be grasped.

information was unavailable

Indicates that access to the relevant data was restricted or non-existent.

details were unconfirmed

Implies that while some information exists, its accuracy is not validated.

the situation was unclear

Focuses on the lack of clarity surrounding a set of circumstances.

not possible to conclude

Highlights that no firm decision or judgment could be reached.

FAQs

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

Use "could not be determined" when you want to express that something was impossible to find out or establish. For example, "The cause of the error "could not be determined" with the available data."

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

You can use alternatives such as "remained unclear", "could not be ascertained", or "was impossible to determine" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "could not be determined"?

While "could not be determined" is in the passive voice and perfectly acceptable, consider if using an active voice construction might provide more clarity or impact. However, in formal reports, passive voice is often preferred. For example, "Researchers "could not determine" the cause."

What does "could not be determined" imply?

The phrase implies that efforts were made to find something out, but these efforts were unsuccessful due to various limitations such as insufficient data, technical difficulties, or other hindering factors.