could not establish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not establish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a failure to create or initiate a connection, relationship, or understanding. Example: "The system could not establish a connection to the server, resulting in an error message."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Our study, being field work, could not establish causation.

Nature

The authors were clear that the study could not establish that flu shots cause miscarriage.

Harvard University

The inquiry could not establish that the picture had been posed.

The New York Times

Because the study looked at correlations, it could not establish cause and effect.

The New York Times - Health

It said it could not establish satisfactorily the circumstances of 15 others who were shot dead.

The Guardian

However, doctors in Paris said they could not establish the cause of the disorder.

The Guardian

He could not establish his inside fastball, making his curveball vulnerable.

The New York Times - Sports

Without a father she could not establish a hukou, or residency permit.

The New York Times

Subsequent medical checks could not establish any condition that might have affected his health, jurors heard.

The Guardian

A postmortem could not establish the cause of the woman's death.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The force said it could not establish if the papers related to Jones.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could not establish", ensure the context clearly indicates what could not be proven or created. For instance, "The study could not establish a direct link between the two variables."

Common error

Avoid using "could not establish" when a more direct verb is appropriate. For example, instead of "The scientist could not establish the hypothesis," use "The scientist disproved the hypothesis."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not establish" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating an inability or failure to create, prove, or initiate something. As Ludwig AI's analysis confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English, expressing a lack of success in achieving a specific outcome. Examples in Ludwig illustrate diverse contexts where connections, relationships, or proofs could not be made.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

36%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could not establish" is a versatile phrase used to indicate an inability to prove, create, or initiate something. Ludwig AI confirms it is a correct and usable expression, commonly found in scientific, news, and academic contexts. While alternatives exist, such as "failed to demonstrate" or "was unable to prove", the choice depends on the desired emphasis. Remember to use the phrase when you intend to clearly show there's a lack of evidence or a failure to make a connection. The phrase's prevalence across authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times underscores its widespread acceptance and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to demonstrate

Replaces "could not establish" with a stronger emphasis on the failure to show proof.

was unable to prove

Focuses on the lack of ability to provide evidence or verification.

did not manage to create

Highlights the unsuccessful attempt to form or bring something into existence.

couldn't initiate

Emphasizes the failure to start or begin something.

were unsuccessful in setting up

Indicates a lack of success in organizing or arranging something.

did not succeed in forming

Focuses on the failure to bring something into being or into a particular shape.

proved impossible to build

Highlights the impossibility of constructing or developing something.

was incapable of starting

Emphasizes the lack of capacity to commence an action or process.

did not ascertain

Indicates the investigators were unable to find something out for certain.

was unable to verify

Highlights the investigators' failure to confirm the truth or accuracy of something.

FAQs

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

Use "could not establish" to indicate a failure to prove, create, or initiate something. For example, "The investigation "could not establish" any wrongdoing."

What are some alternatives to "could not establish"?

You can use alternatives such as "failed to demonstrate", "was unable to prove", or "did not manage to create" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "could not establish" or "failed to establish"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "failed to establish" might be more forceful, emphasizing the lack of success, while "could not establish" is more neutral, indicating an inability. The choice depends on the desired tone.

What is the difference between "could not establish" and "could not determine"?

"Could not establish" implies a failure to create something concrete or prove a connection, while "could not determine" suggests an inability to ascertain or find something out. For example, you "could not establish" a link, but you "could not determine" the cause.