could not determine

USAGE SUMMARY

"could not determine" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when a person or group is unable to find out information either through research or observation. For example, "Researchers could not determine the cause of the strange illness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They could not determine the cause.

The New York Times

One could not determine their size or location.

The New Yorker

The tests could not determine when the infection occurred.

The New York Times - Science

Was there another reason an audience member could not determine?

The Guardian - Music

It said it could not determine when that failure happened.

The New York Times

But initial analysis by electronics experts could not determine whether the tape was genuine.

The New York Times

At that moment, in my haze of vainglory, I could not determine a single personal deficit.

The New York Times - Style

But he said he could not determine whether it had been leaking at the time.

The New York Times

The majority acknowledged that it could not determine conclusively whether unnecessary pain is inflicted during electrocution.

The New York Times

The inquest jury said it could not determine which officers caused the man's death.

The New York Times

State investigators could not determine if the caseworker had even visited the apartment she died in.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using synonyms like "was unable to ascertain" or "failed to establish" for a more sophisticated tone.

Common error

While "could not determine" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal reports or academic papers can sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "failed to ascertain" or "was unable to establish" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not determine" functions as a negative declarative, indicating an inability to ascertain, establish, or conclude something. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's commonly used to express a lack of conclusive evidence or understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

41%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could not determine" is a commonly used phrase that indicates an inability to ascertain or establish something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news and scientific reports. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, consider using more precise synonyms in academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly explains the reasons for the lack of determination. Common alternatives include "was unable to ascertain", "failed to establish", and "it remains unknown". Overall, "could not determine" is a reliable phrase for expressing uncertainty when definitive conclusions are unattainable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could not ascertain

Employs a more formal synonym for "determine", suitable for academic or professional contexts.

was unable to ascertain

Replaces "could not determine" with a more formal synonym for "find out".

could not conclude

Highlights the absence of a definitive result or conclusion.

failed to establish

Focuses on the lack of success in proving or demonstrating something.

was incapable of figuring out

Uses a more informal and direct way of expressing the inability to understand or solve something.

it remains unknown

Shifts the focus to the state of being unknown rather than the act of determining.

was not able to deduce

Focuses on the inability to reach a conclusion through reasoning.

the cause remains elusive

Highlights the difficulty in finding or understanding the cause of something.

lacked the ability to discern

Emphasizes a lack of skill or capacity to perceive or distinguish something.

remained uncertain about

Expresses a state of doubt or lack of clarity about something.

FAQs

What does "could not determine" mean?

The phrase "could not determine" means that someone was unable to find out or establish something definitively, despite attempts to do so. It suggests a lack of conclusive evidence or information.

What are some alternatives to "could not determine"?

You can use alternatives like "was unable to ascertain", "failed to establish", or "it remains unknown" depending on the specific context.

Is "could not determine" formal or informal?

"Could not determine" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for more formal writing, consider using synonyms such as "was unable to ascertain".

How can I use "could not determine" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "The investigators examined the evidence, but they "could not determine" the exact cause of the accident."