it cannot be demonstrated that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it cannot be demonstrated that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a claim or assertion that lacks sufficient evidence or proof. Example: "In the context of scientific research, it cannot be demonstrated that the new drug is effective without further clinical trials."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Therefore, since it cannot be demonstrated that Christian belief of this sort is very likely false, the Christian remains justified in maintaining that the proponents of other religious perspectives are not actually on equal epistemic footing.

SEP

Probably best known for holding that it cannot be demonstrated that the world began to be was Thomas Aquinas who in his De aeternitate mundi went a step beyond his earlier writings and maintained not only this but also that an eternally created world is possible (Wippel, 1984a, 203 14).

SEP

"Moreover, it cannot be demonstrated that any use of waterboarding by U.S. personnel in recent years has saved a single American life".

Huffington Post

Unfortunately, therefore, it cannot be demonstrated that frontal N2 to non-targets was a sign of motor suppression in this specific case, although the possibility cannot be excluded a priori.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He concludes that it cannot be demonstrated either that an eternal world is not possible, or that it is possible.

SEP

On the basis of the principles of Greek geometry, it cannot be demonstrated, however, that it is impossible to effect by planar means certain solid constructions (like the cube duplication and angle trisection).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Because these proofs aim to identify the ens realissimum with the necessary being, and because the attempt to do this requires an a priori argument (it cannot be demonstrated empirically), Kant thinks that they are both (ultimately) vitiated by their reliance on the ontological proof.

SEP

Therefore, theology must remain under the constant control of philosophy and the supervision of the divine law so as not to drift into taking positions that cannot be demonstrated philosophically or that are contrary to the intention of the divine law.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One set of issues concerns the effects of bias that cannot be demonstrated to be intentional discrimination: bias that is unrecognized or implicit but that is bias nonetheless.

SEP

Moreover, since metaphysics is the first science, nothing else can be its subject, except for something that cannot be demonstrated, since it is self-evident.

SEP

This approach exemplifies the widely accepted Euclidean reductio ad absurdum, for which a proposition that cannot be demonstrated as true proves that its contrary is instead true, since a third possibility does not exist (tertium non datur).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it cannot be demonstrated that" when you want to express a lack of conclusive proof or evidence, especially in formal or scientific contexts. For a more informal phrasing, consider alternatives like "there is no proof that".

Common error

Avoid using "it cannot be demonstrated that" in casual contexts where simpler phrases like "it's not proven" or "there's no evidence" would be more appropriate. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound stilted or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it cannot be demonstrated that" functions as a hedging device. It introduces a statement that lacks conclusive evidence or proof. Ludwig confirms this by showing examples where the phrase precedes claims lacking support, typically in scientific or formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

12%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it cannot be demonstrated that" serves as a formal and cautious way to introduce claims lacking conclusive proof. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is predominantly found in scientific, academic, and news contexts, emphasizing the importance of critical evaluation and further investigation. While grammatically correct, it's best reserved for situations demanding precision, opting for simpler alternatives in casual settings. Remember that its purpose is to express uncertainty, not to dismiss entirely, and its effective usage hinges on understanding the specific context and intended audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is not possible to prove that

Focuses on the impossibility of providing definitive proof.

there is no evidence to suggest that

Highlights the absence of supporting evidence.

it has not been established that

Emphasizes the lack of confirmation or validation.

the evidence does not show that

Directly points out the lack of supportive evidence.

it remains unproven that

Indicates that the claim is still awaiting proof.

proof is lacking that

States directly that proof is missing.

it's unconfirmed that

Emphasizes the absence of confirmation of something.

the claim lacks substantiation that

Focuses on the claim's lack of supporting evidence.

there's no substantiating evidence that

Highlights the absence of evidence which can confirm something.

it is not substantiated that

Indicates that the claim hasn't been proven true.

FAQs

How can I use "it cannot be demonstrated that" in a sentence?

Use "it cannot be demonstrated that" to express the absence of conclusive proof or evidence for a claim. For example, "it cannot be demonstrated that the new policy will improve employee morale without further data analysis".

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

Alternatives include "there is no evidence to suggest that", "it has not been established that", or "it remains unproven that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "it cannot be demonstrated that" or "it has not been demonstrated that"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "it cannot be demonstrated that" implies a fundamental inability to prove something at the current time or with the current methods, while "it has not been demonstrated that" simply means proof is currently lacking. The choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "it cannot be demonstrated that" and "it cannot be assumed that"?

"It cannot be demonstrated that" refers to a lack of empirical or logical proof, while "it cannot be assumed that" refers to the absence of a valid reason to take something for granted. The former requires evidence, the latter, justification.