it can be surmised

USAGE SUMMARY

‘it can be surmised’ is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use ‘it can be surmised’ when you want to express an opinion or hypothesis based on evidence or information available. For example, “Based on the given evidence, it can be surmised that the perpetrator was well-prepared and had advanced planning.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

From the fragmentary words in the blacked-out documents it can be surmised that Wolfe's writings were suspect because they appeared on reading lists of schools said to be under Communist control.

The New Yorker

But Golson shows himself stuck in the past when he inveighs against a musician whose name is deleted from the piece, but who, it can be surmised, is Ornette Coleman: He was a clever man.

The New Yorker

But Golson shows himself stuck in the past when he inveighs against a musician whose name is deleted from the piece, but who, it can be surmised, is Ornette Coleman: Trump's Lawyers Argue That He Cannot Be Impeached Because He Was Never Actually Elected What Happens When a Bad-Tempered, Distractible Doofus Runs an Empire?

The New Yorker

Since there are close similarities between many of the unrevised works from the two decades, as well between those and the pieces that Ms. Kusama did retouch, it can be surmised that her intention was less to update her work, but on the contrary to insist on the continuity between the two periods.

The New York Times

From the various findings on prioritizing issues, it can be surmised that social entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia is gaining momentum.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Based on these observations, it can be surmised that MWNT agglomerates disentangled as the flow (or W/C ratio) decreased.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

Based on these results, it can be surmised that the stress meter properly records changes in stress.

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The possible functions of this anthozoan thrombospondin that can be surmised from its distinctive patterns of expression indicate interesting parallels and differences with the thrombospondins of vertebrates.

Biology Open

The Eutrema orthologue of SCAR2 (Thaslv10002989m.g) haSNP SNP density of 95.2 SNPs/kb and it is the locus with the greatest density of SNPs for which a function of the gene can be surmised.

BMC Genomics

Shot in and around New Orleans but set (as far as can be surmised from accents, geographical references and the source material) in a broken-down Boston, it savors the company of losers, fixers and would-be wiseguys.

The New York Times

The biggest singular problem can be surmised in three words: Kevin De Bruyne.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it can be surmised" when you want to present a logical inference based on available evidence, but avoid overuse in informal contexts where more direct language is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "it can be surmised" when the evidence is weak or speculative. Overstating your certainty can undermine your credibility. Choose alternatives like "it is possible" or "it might be" when the conclusion is less certain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it can be surmised" functions as a modal construction used to express a conclusion or inference based on available evidence. This phrase introduces a deduction made by the speaker or writer. Ludwig provides many examples showcasing its common usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it can be surmised" is a grammatically sound construction used to introduce a conclusion or inference derived from available information. According to Ludwig, it commonly appears in scientific and news contexts, signaling a formal register. While very common, writers should be mindful of the strength of their evidence to avoid overstating certainty. Alternatives like "it can be inferred" or "it seems likely" can provide subtle shifts in meaning. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is a correct and effective tool for analytical writing, provided it's used judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it can be inferred

Emphasizes a logical conclusion drawn directly from the evidence.

it can be deduced

Highlights a reasoning process leading to a firm conclusion.

it can be gathered

Suggests collecting information from various sources to form a conclusion.

one might assume

Introduces a possibility or a preliminary conclusion based on limited evidence.

it is reasonable to conclude

Implies a logical and justified conclusion based on presented information.

we can speculate

Indicates venturing a guess or hypothesis with limited evidence.

it seems likely

Expresses a degree of probability or expectation.

the evidence suggests

Focuses on how the existing evidence points towards a particular conclusion.

it is plausible that

Highlights that a statement or explanation is believable or credible.

a possible explanation is

Introduces a potential explanation that requires further investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "it can be surmised" in a sentence?

Use "it can be surmised" to present a conclusion you've drawn from available evidence. For example, "From the data, "it can be surmised" that the new policy had a positive impact."

What are some alternatives to "it can be surmised"?

You can use alternatives like "it can be inferred", "it can be deduced", or "it can be gathered" depending on the context and the strength of the evidence.

Is "it can be surmised" formal or informal?

"It can be surmised" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic writing, reports, and other professional contexts. More informal alternatives exist if a more casual tone is desired.

What is the difference between "it can be surmised" and "it can be assumed"?

"It can be surmised" implies a logical deduction based on evidence, while "it can be assumed" suggests taking something for granted without concrete proof. "It can be surmised" carries more weight due to the implication of reasoning.