it cannot be asserted that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it cannot be asserted that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express doubt or uncertainty about a statement or claim being made. Example: "While there are many theories about the origins of the universe, it cannot be asserted that any one theory is definitively correct."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, it cannot be asserted that increased C-section rates are due to a real increase in obstetric complications, as there may be other secondary factors influencing this outcome, which are related to the attitudes of clinicians and women themselves [ 31- 33].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Because providing names was optional, precourse and postcourse questionnaires could not be matched for every student, and it therefore cannot be asserted that each and every student's NOS status improved.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Until they have read the full shortlist, people complaining about concerted stupidification must concede – like this column – that it cannot be asserted with certainty that the prize has made a sudden grab for Richard and Judy territory.

The Guardian - Opinion

It cannot be asserted to what extent surrounding factors were as well influencing the developments [6: 2].

European Journal of Futures Research

(iii) It can be asserted that is relatively compact.  .

Advances in Difference Equations

It can be asserted that is relatively compact.

Advances in Difference Equations

It cannot reasonably be asserted that these drug policies are actually intended to help or protect people.

The New York Times

Lack of evidence of dysregulation by the afore mentioned groups, but dysregulation by CDX-2, E2, E47, MyoD and SP3 might indicate that exclusion from MS cannot be asserted.

Plosone

Hume's critical attitude toward metaphysics is subsequently taken up by Kant, although Kant famously asserts on practical grounds some of the very same metaphysical theses that he argues cannot be asserted on theoretical grounds.

SEP

The result is that the total variance of the population mean estimator cannot be asserted to comply with the IPCC good practice criteria because not only is it not minimized, it is not even correctly estimated.

Forest Ecology and Management

It was asserted that hypothyroidism provided protection against LPx [ 35].

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it cannot be asserted that" to introduce a counterargument or to express skepticism about a proposition, especially when discussing complex or nuanced topics where definitive proof is lacking.

Common error

Avoid using "it cannot be asserted that" excessively in your writing. Overuse can make your arguments seem weak or indecisive. Strive for a balance between expressing uncertainty and making clear, direct statements when the evidence allows.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it cannot be asserted that" functions as a hedging device. It expresses a lack of certainty or evidence to support a claim. This is consistent with Ludwig AI that confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it cannot be asserted that" is a grammatically correct expression used to indicate a lack of certainty or sufficient evidence to support a claim. It serves as a hedging device, often found in formal writing, such as academic papers, news articles, and encyclopedias. Ludwig AI validates its usability and notes its appropriateness for expressing doubt or introducing counterarguments. While useful, overuse should be avoided to maintain clarity and decisiveness in writing. Related phrases such as "it cannot be stated that" or "it cannot be claimed that" offer similar but nuanced ways to convey uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it cannot be stated that

Replaces "asserted" with "stated", offering a more neutral tone.

it cannot be claimed that

Substitutes "asserted" with "claimed", implying a potentially contentious statement.

it cannot be maintained that

Replaces "asserted" with "maintained", suggesting a continued but potentially challenged viewpoint.

it cannot be affirmed that

Uses "affirmed" instead of "asserted", adding a stronger sense of confirmation being absent.

it cannot be established that

Changes "asserted" to "established", focusing on the lack of proof.

it is not possible to assert that

Adds "possible" to emphasize the lack of opportunity to confidently state something.

evidence does not allow asserting that

Shifts the focus to the evidence being insufficient for making a statement.

the assertion that is not supportable

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the lack of support for the assertion.

it is not justifiable to assert that

Indicates that making the statement would be unreasonable or without justification.

there is no basis to assert that

Highlights the absence of a foundation or reason for making the assertion.

FAQs

What does "it cannot be asserted that" mean?

The phrase "it cannot be asserted that" means that there isn't enough evidence or proof to confidently make a statement or claim. It indicates a degree of uncertainty or doubt about something.

When is it appropriate to use "it cannot be asserted that" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "it cannot be asserted that" when you want to express skepticism or uncertainty about a claim, especially when discussing topics where definitive proof is lacking or when presenting a counterargument. Using phrases like "it cannot be stated that" or "it cannot be claimed that" might also be helpful.

What are some alternatives to "it cannot be asserted that"?

Some alternatives to "it cannot be asserted that" include phrases such as "it cannot be stated that", "it cannot be claimed that", "it cannot be maintained that", or "the evidence does not allow asserting that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it cannot be asserted that" the same as saying "it is false"?

No, "it cannot be asserted that" doesn't necessarily mean something is false. It simply means there isn't sufficient evidence to confidently say it's true. It expresses uncertainty, while stating something is false is a direct negation of truth. In this context one might say "it cannot be affirmed that".