it cannot be determined that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it cannot be determined that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing uncertainty or lack of evidence regarding a specific conclusion or statement. Example: "Based on the available data, it cannot be determined that the new policy will lead to increased productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It cannot be determined that Christians during the first three centuries could or did preserve an authentic tradition as to where these events occurred.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, it cannot be determined that whether the band or anti-band are formed by analyzing the PDOS without further experiments.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Furthermore, it is important that the pseudonyms are unique within a given C&C provider, but created in such a manner that it cannot be determined that two different pseudonyms refer to data items from the same file.

Journal of Cloud Computing: Advances, Systems and Applications

63, 64 Interestingly, while this may be true, it cannot be determined that such activity is performing an exclusively temporal function, representing duration per se.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

However, it should be noted that Forkel et al. did not directly compare the predictive value of the right and left hemispheres, therefore it cannot be determined that the RH WM integrity is indeed significantly more predictive than LH one.

Brain and Language

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It cannot be determined if that's a good or bad amazing, but one thing is certain: there will be a lot to talk about on the drive home.

The New York Times

It cannot be determined if that represented greater severity of illness or greater caution in treating younger children.

BMJ Open

An increase or decrease in responding presumably indicates a change in perceived reward, but it cannot be determined whether that change results from an increase or decrease in reward value.

Alcohol research : current reviews

Since a single unbalanced reaction could generate an incorrect FBA model, the process of balance-checking reactions is stringent: if it cannot be determined with certainty that a reaction is balanced, that reaction is not included in the model.

Bioinformatics

Since the pHap sequences were based on EST sequences, it cannot be determined if these represent LDSDs that define genes which were not represented in the libraries, are non-expressed pseudogenes or are some type of PCR error introduced during the amplification step prior to sequencing.

BMC Genomics

It cannot be determined from this data set that these patients would have been more adherent on an STR.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it cannot be determined that" when you want to express a lack of definitive evidence or certainty about a specific outcome or conclusion.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "it cannot be determined that". While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Consider active alternatives if appropriate to strengthen your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it cannot be determined that" functions as a hedge, expressing uncertainty or a lack of conclusive evidence. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It introduces a statement where a definitive determination is not possible based on current knowledge or data.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it cannot be determined that" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey uncertainty or a lack of definitive evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most appropriate for formal contexts such as science, news reporting, and encyclopedias. While semantically sound, writers should be mindful of overusing this passive construction and should consider stronger, more active alternatives when applicable. Understanding the appropriate register and communicative purpose will ensure effective use of this phrase in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is impossible to determine that

Emphasizes the impossibility of determining something.

it is not possible to conclude that

Focuses on the inability to reach a conclusion.

it remains uncertain whether

Highlights the continuing uncertainty.

the evidence does not allow us to determine that

Specifically points to the lack of evidence as the reason.

there is no way to know whether

Indicates a complete lack of information.

we cannot say for certain that

Highlights the lack of certainty in the statement.

it's not clear if

Simple way to express uncertainty.

the data are insufficient to determine that

Focuses on insufficient data.

the answer remains unknown

Highlights the lack of a known answer.

it is undeterminable that

Uses a more formal and less common synonym.

FAQs

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

Use "it cannot be determined that" when you want to express uncertainty about something based on the available information. For example, "It cannot be determined that the new policy will lead to increased productivity without further analysis."

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

You can use alternatives like "it is unclear whether", "there is no evidence to suggest that", or "it remains uncertain whether", depending on the context.

Is "it cannot be determined that" formal or informal?

"It cannot be determined that" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for academic, scientific, or professional writing. More informal alternatives exist for casual conversation.

When is it appropriate to use "it cannot be determined that"?

Use "it cannot be determined that" when the available evidence is insufficient to reach a definitive conclusion or when the outcome is uncertain. It's useful in research papers, reports, and formal discussions.