establish definitively

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "establish definitively" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey the idea of confirming or proving something in a clear and conclusive manner. Example: "The research aims to establish definitively the link between diet and health outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

We need to establish definitively what's behind this huge waste of competent, employable women.

The Guardian

(As is often true in such cases, the details may be impossible to establish definitively).

The New Yorker

Whether this accumulating new science establishes, or ever can establish, definitively, that endocannabinoids are behind runner's high, is uncertain.

The New York Times

As a result, Mrs. Hewitt's lawyer, like many others confronting privately owned homes, has been unable to establish definitively who was responsible for her mother's care.

The New York Times

Judge Chin went through a series of questions designed to establish definitively that Madoff knew what he was doing in pleading guilty, and Madoff answered succinctly: Yes.

The New Yorker

Should studies establish definitively that correcting hearing loss decreases the potential for early-onset dementia, we might finally overcome the stigma of hearing loss.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

(We still haven't established definitively whether Ashton prefers Cathy or Catherine).

The Guardian - Opinion

Their extent has not been established definitively, but they are believed to occupy less than 1 percent of the total land area on Earth, predominately in the southeastern United States (in soil zones currently classified as Acrisols) and Malaysia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"As milk consumption may rise globally with economic development and increasing consumption of animal source foods, the role of milk in mortality needs to be established definitively now," said Professor Mary Schooling, of City University of New York's school of public health.

Independent

Careful measurements have now established definitively that the universe appears to be flat, to a precision of one percent.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Although it wasn't established definitively whether the drug killed her, officers continue to investigate the possibility.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "establish definitively", ensure that the context supports a claim that can be proven or confirmed with a high degree of certainty. Avoid using it when discussing speculative or uncertain information.

Common error

Avoid using "establish definitively" when the evidence is suggestive but not conclusive. Using phrases like "suggest" or "indicate" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "establish definitively" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to indicate the action of proving something beyond any doubt. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "establish definitively" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to denote the action of proving something conclusively. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's worth noting its higher incidence in formal and scientific contexts. It communicates certainty and objectivity, thus is best employed when evidence is irrefutable. Alternatives such as "determine conclusively" or "prove beyond doubt" can be considered for slight nuances in meaning. Be mindful of not overstating the conclusiveness of your evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine conclusively

Focuses on the act of determining with a sense of finality.

confirm with certainty

Emphasizes the confirmation aspect and the lack of doubt.

prove beyond doubt

Highlights the act of providing irrefutable proof.

ascertain unequivocally

Stresses the clarity and lack of ambiguity in the ascertainment.

verify conclusively

Centers on the act of verifying and bringing to a definite close.

demonstrate conclusively

Focuses on demonstrating something without leaving room for doubt.

settle beyond question

Implies that a matter is resolved to the point where no further questions remain.

validate irrefutably

Highlights the irrefutable validation of something.

establish with precision

Emphasizes accuracy and exactness in the establishment.

resolve definitively

Focuses on definitively solving or resolving a matter.

FAQs

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

Use "establish definitively" when you aim to prove or confirm something beyond doubt. For example, "The study aims to "establish definitively" the link between diet and health outcomes."

What are some alternatives to "establish definitively"?

Alternatives include "determine conclusively", "confirm with certainty", or "prove beyond doubt". Choose the one that best fits the specific context.

Is it better to use "establish definitively" or "determine conclusively"?

Both "establish definitively" and "determine conclusively" are correct and convey a similar meaning. "Establish definitively" may emphasize the initial finding, while "determine conclusively" might focus on the final decision or resolution.

In what context is "establish definitively" most appropriate?

"Establish definitively" is most appropriate in formal or scientific contexts where you need to emphasize the certainty of a finding or conclusion.