definitively unknown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definitively unknown" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing that something is completely or unquestionably unknown or unclear. Example: "The origins of the ancient artifact remain definitively unknown to researchers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was thus possible to identify definitively the unknown black pigment, which can be considered certainly as another black-ivory sample (confidence level 80%%). Figure 4 (a): PCA representation of the scores of data set values reported in Tab.

Chemistry Central Journal

I was in two definitively obscure bands.

The New York Times - Magazine

Admiral Gehman repeatedly muses in public about the "unknown unknowns," the future foams and O-rings, and while the Gehman board may find a few in its investigation, all that can definitively be said about the two shuttle disasters is that they will have reduced the number of unknown unknowns by two.

The New York Times

The Mexican military opened fire on protesting students, teachers, and passersby, killing hundreds — the official death toll was never definitively determined and remains unknown.

Vice

While the causal relationship between sitagliptin and such adverse experiences voluntarily reported from a population of unknown size cannot be definitively established, skin-related adverse experiences were examined in the present pooled analysis.

BMC Endocrine Disorders

The endogenous ligands for human ORs remain to be definitively clarified, and those for OR2AT4 are unknown.

Nature

This reaction resulted in the sample precipitating with the HF, an action that definitively ruled out the possibility that the unknown substance was a rare earth.

Wikipedia

As such, relatively few reptile species can be definitively classified as indeterminate [ 9, 10], with the majority still unknown or contentious.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The margin of error using this approach is admittedly unknown, so a 1 percentage point difference is hardly enough to definitively say one upset was more tragic than another.

The Washington Post

Although the remaining 89 (18%) patients had negative JEV IgM testing on serum and/or CSF specimens, JE could not be definitively ruled out as the cause of their illness (i.e., JEV unknown).

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Loss of consciousness (LOC) was definitively reported by 51.3%, while in an additional 14.1% of subjects, it was unknown whether they lost consciousness or not.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definitively unknown" to emphasize that something is not only unknown but that there is no real prospect of finding out the answer with current methods or knowledge. This phrasing adds a layer of finality or certainty to the state of being unknown.

Common error

Avoid using "definitively unknown" when there is still a reasonable expectation of discovering the information in the future. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the information is considered fundamentally inaccessible or beyond current understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitively unknown" functions as an adjective phrase that emphasizes the state of being completely or unquestionably unknown. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct but has limited examples, suggesting a niche usage.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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News & Media

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "definitively unknown" is used to emphasize that something is completely and unquestionably unknown. While grammatically correct according to Ludwig AI, it's a phrase that currently appears to be rare in usage. It functions as an adjective phrase to emphasize a total lack of knowledge. When employing this phrase, ensure that it aligns with contexts where the unknown is genuinely considered beyond current means of discovery. Consider alternatives like "absolutely unknown" or "completely unknown" to tailor your language to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Absolutely unknown

Emphasizes the complete absence of knowledge.

Completely unknown

Highlights the thorough lack of awareness.

Utterly unknown

Stresses the total and absolute lack of information.

Positively unknown

Indicates a strong assertion that something is not known.

Decidedly unknown

Conveys a clear and definite state of being unknown.

Unquestionably unknown

Suggests that the state of being unknown is not in doubt.

Indisputably unknown

Implies that the lack of knowledge cannot be contested.

Uncertain beyond doubt

Focuses on the lack of certainty, making it absolute.

Unascertainable

Highlights the impossibility of finding something out.

Impossible to determine

Emphasizes the inability to establish something definitively.

FAQs

How can I use "definitively unknown" in a sentence?

You can use "definitively unknown" to describe something that is not only unknown, but also considered impossible to determine with current knowledge. For example: "The exact cause of the phenomenon remains definitively unknown."

What does "definitively unknown" mean?

The phrase "definitively unknown" means that something is absolutely and unquestionably unknown. It emphasizes the complete lack of knowledge about a particular subject or issue.

What are some alternatives to "definitively unknown"?

Alternatives to "definitively unknown" include phrases like "absolutely unknown", "completely unknown", or "utterly unknown". These phrases all convey a similar sense of a total lack of knowledge.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "definitively unknown"?

It is appropriate to use "definitively unknown" when you want to emphasize that something is not just unknown, but that there is no prospect of it being known with current methods or understanding. It adds a sense of finality to the state of being unknown.