could not be supported

USAGE SUMMARY

"could not be supported" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to an idea, opinion, statement, argument, etc. that lacks evidence or sufficient proof. For example: "John's claim that tigers are capable of playing chess could not be supported by any scientific evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is almost needless to say that such a contract could not be supported.

Cornell University

"I had to say that without free access, it could not be supported," Dr. Sellner said.

The New York Times - Science

She said those policies could not be supported because they increased the price of electricity.

The Guardian

Small government checkpoints and checkpoints that could not be supported by helicopter resupply became untenable.

The New York Times

It argues that the press's claims could not be supported by the realities of underage drinking at the time.

International Journal of Drug Policy

Conclusion: The assumption that growth hormone treatment improves HRQOL in children with ISS could not be supported in this study.

The Journal of Pediatrics

A murder charge could not be supported in part because there were no witnesses to the killing, the officials said.

The New York Times

The public plan could not be supported by tax revenues or government appropriations but by premiums and co-payments.

The New York Times

Such a facility, officials argue, could not be supported by the private sector, because it would be too expensive.

The Economist

Indications of oxidative stress after low-level in vivo exposure of rats could not be supported by in vitro studies of human fibroblasts and glioblastoma cells.

Pathophysiology

The two men decided together that the story of Iraqi efforts to obtain uranium in Africa -- specifically in Niger, Somalia and Congo -- could not be supported.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could not be supported", ensure you clarify what specific type of support is lacking (e.g., evidence, funding, resources).

Common error

Avoid using "could not be supported" excessively, as it relies on passive voice. In many cases, active voice provides stronger and more direct phrasing. For example, instead of "the hypothesis could not be supported by the data", consider "the data did not support the hypothesis".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not be supported" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating that something lacks the necessary evidence, resources, or validation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could not be supported" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express a lack of validation, justification, or necessary resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used and applicable across various contexts, particularly in science, news, and academia. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the specific type of support that is lacking. Alternatives such as "lacked substantiation" or "was unsustainable" can provide nuanced variations, while avoiding overuse of passive voice can lead to stronger, more direct phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

couldn't be validated

Highlights the absence of confirmation or proof for something.

could not be justified

Shifts the focus to the lack of moral or logical basis for something.

was not defensible

Similar to "could not be justified", emphasizing the lack of a valid defense.

was untenable

Indicates that a position or situation is impossible to defend or maintain.

lacked substantiation

Replaces the modal verb construction with a direct statement about a lack of evidence.

was groundless

Emphasizes the lack of any factual basis or foundation.

was unsustainable

Focuses on the inability to maintain something over time, often due to resource constraints.

failed to convince

Focuses on the lack of persuasiveness or impact of an argument or idea.

didn't hold water

An idiomatic expression meaning that an argument or explanation is not sound or logical.

was built on sand

An idiomatic phrase indicating a weak or unstable foundation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "could not be supported" to sound more active?

Consider alternatives like "lacked evidence", "was unsustainable", or "could not be justified". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What does it mean when a claim "could not be supported"?

It means the claim lacks sufficient evidence, resources, or logical reasoning to be considered valid or sustainable.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "could not be supported"?

This phrase is suitable when discussing hypotheses, arguments, claims, or plans that are found to be lacking in necessary support. It often appears in academic, scientific, or formal contexts.

What are some phrases with similar meaning to "could not be supported"?

Synonymous phrases include "lacked substantiation", "was unsustainable", and "was untenable". Choose the alternative that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.