has proven inconclusive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has proven inconclusive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing research findings or evidence that does not provide a clear or definitive conclusion. Example: "The study on the effects of the new drug has proven inconclusive, leaving researchers with more questions than answers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Rik Mayall's post-mortem has proven inconclusive.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The first cut of data that firms have provided to us has proved inconclusive," he said.

The New York Times

A postmortem into the death of George Michael has proved inconclusive, and further tests will be carried out, police have said.

The Guardian - Music

Recent research at this elusive front line of human knowledge has proved inconclusive, to say the least.

Independent

An postmortem examination on Cornara has proved inconclusive, with experts unable to determine whether he was killed before his head was cut off.

The Guardian

An initial postmortem on the 23-year-old man who died after police shot him with a Taser in Manchester this week has proved inconclusive.

The Guardian

Kent police said in a statement on Wednesday: "A postmortem examination held on Wednesday 9 April following the death of Peaches Geldof has proved inconclusive pending the result of toxicology analysis.

The Guardian

Terrestrial plant fossils dated at 13 My before present (BP) have been recorded from Gran Canaria, and fossils of several plant taxa that are currently restricted to or have distributions centered on Macaronesia have been discovered in continental Europe [1], [59], [60]; however, the precise taxonomic identification of these fossils has proved inconclusive [61].

Plosone

Nevertheless, the technique may be useful where percutaneous biopsy is difficult or has proved inconclusive, and is potentially cost-effective in this situation by reducing the number of surgical explorations for benign disease.

Cancer Imaging

Numerous mechanistic studies in the succeeding decades have proven inconclusive.

Forbes

As in this case, observation with cessation of exercise for 1 month, a physical therapy plan, anti-inflammatory medicines, an EMS, a NCS, a non-exercise MRI of the forearm, a cervical MRI, and a cervical CT angiogram have all demonstrated to only rule out a few differential diagnoses or have proven inconclusive.

Sports Medicine - Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow up the statement "has proven inconclusive" with an explanation of any further steps being taken or alternative approaches being considered. This provides context and shows a proactive approach to resolving the uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid making definitive claims or drawing firm conclusions based on evidence that "has proven inconclusive". Presenting inconclusive findings as conclusive can mislead the reader and undermine the credibility of your work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has proven inconclusive" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a particular test, study, or analysis has not yielded a clear or definitive result. It's commonly used to express uncertainty or lack of conclusive evidence. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has proven inconclusive" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that a particular test, study, or analysis has not yielded a clear or definitive result. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in formal, neutral, and scientific contexts. While frequently seen in news and scientific publications, remember to provide adequate context to avoid ambiguity. Be sure to avoid overstating conclusions based on inconclusive evidence. Alternatives like "has yielded no definitive results" can be used to add variety to your writing. This phrase serves to report the lack of clear results, manage expectations, and potentially highlight the need for further investigation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has yielded no definitive results

Replaces "proven inconclusive" with a phrase emphasizing the lack of clear outcomes.

has not provided conclusive evidence

Focuses on the absence of solid proof, using "provided" instead of "proven".

has failed to reach a clear conclusion

Emphasizes the lack of a resolution or clear outcome.

has not been determined definitively

Shifts the focus to the lack of a definitive determination.

has remained unresolved

Highlights the continued lack of resolution.

has not offered a firm answer

Emphasizes the absence of a concrete solution or response.

has demonstrated no clear effect

Highlights the absence of a discernible impact or result.

has not produced a definitive outcome

Focuses on the lack of a conclusive result.

has not led to a firm decision

Emphasizes the absence of a clear resolution or choice.

has given no certain indication

Highlights the absence of a clear sign or clue.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "has proven inconclusive" in a sentence?

You can replace "has proven inconclusive" with phrases like "has yielded no definitive results", "has not provided conclusive evidence", or "has failed to reach a clear conclusion depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when a test "has proven inconclusive"?

When a test "has proven inconclusive", it means that the results of the test did not provide a clear or definitive answer. Further investigation or testing may be needed to reach a conclusion.

Is it appropriate to use "has proven inconclusive" in formal writing?

Yes, "has proven inconclusive" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in scientific or academic contexts where objective reporting is essential. Ensure you provide context and further details to maintain clarity.

What's the difference between "has proven inconclusive" and "has proven ineffective"?

"Has proven inconclusive" means the results are not clear or definitive, while "has proven ineffective" means the method or treatment did not produce the desired outcome or result. The former suggests uncertainty, the latter suggests failure.