it cannot be presumed that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it cannot be presumed that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that a certain assumption or conclusion should not be made without sufficient evidence or justification. Example: "In this case, it cannot be presumed that the results are accurate without further testing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It cannot be presumed that he was the maker of those examples even closely resembling his plates.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This might suggests that it cannot be presumed that a good navigator would also perform well in terms of memory and the two variables (recall scores and performance scores) can not be linearly correlated.

Brain Informatics

This is the only truth that Origen thinks can be ascribed to Plato's doctrine of transmigration into beasts (Princ. 3.4.3), and it cannot be presumed that even the demons will remain obdurate for ever.

SEP

These empirically-grounded insights prove that in analyzing complex systems, whose boundaries are blurred by the complexity of the issues requiring collaborative management, it cannot be presumed that linkages in networks are exempt from power bargains and other mechanisms of self-defence and self-promotion.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Thus it cannot be presumed that these are inherently relevant.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

It cannot be presumed that patients with a more rapid RNA degradation have cancer or are at high risk of having cancer.

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

However, as pointed out by Nekaris and colleagues, this assessment was based on field research data and historic museum specimens, and cannot be considered reliable, as "loris 'presence' is usually not determined first-hand, and it also cannot be presumed that lorises still occur in areas from where they were once collected".

Wikipedia

Although correct use of hearing aids is a prerequisite, it cannot be presumed.

BMC Geriatrics

India accused Pillay a distinguished South African judge of Indian descent who has sought an independent international investigation into alleged war crimes committed by all sides in Sri Lanka of going beyond her brief, saying "the independence of the high commissioner cannot be presumed to exceed that of the U.N. secretary-general".

Forbes

15 16 However, these cannot be presumed to imply that the cone signals from the rtx1 AOC images are comparable.

British Journal of Ophthalmology

CIET epidemiology residents might have an unusual dedication to community-level development, a characteristic that cannot be presumed of all civil servants who might roll out similar initiatives in other settings.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it cannot be presumed that", always follow with a clear explanation or evidence to support why the assumption is questionable. This strengthens your argument and provides valuable context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it cannot be presumed that" as a mere placeholder for a more specific and direct statement. Always ensure it adds value by clarifying a potential misunderstanding or challenging an unsupported assumption, otherwise, it can be seen as filler.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it cannot be presumed that" functions as an epistemic qualifier. It introduces a statement by expressing doubt or caution about a preceding assumption or expectation. Ludwig provides examples that highlight its role in setting the stage for critical evaluation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it cannot be presumed that" is a grammatically sound phrase frequently employed to introduce caution or skepticism regarding a statement or assumption. As affirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is common in academic, scientific, and news contexts where critical analysis is essential. While versatile, remember to use it judiciously, always backing up your statement with context and justification, avoiding its overuse as mere filler.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it should not be assumed that

Replaces "presumed" with "assumed", a direct synonym, maintaining the same meaning and level of formality.

it is unwise to assume that

Introduces a degree of caution by using "unwise", implying that assuming would be ill-advised.

it is not safe to assume that

Replaces "cannot be presumed" with "not safe to assume", adding a sense of risk or danger associated with the assumption.

it is not necessarily the case that

Shifts the focus to the possibility of something being untrue, rather than cautioning against a presumption.

one should not infer that

Uses "infer" instead of "presume", highlighting the act of drawing a conclusion based on available information.

we cannot take for granted that

Emphasizes that something should not be accepted without questioning or verification.

it is questionable whether

Introduces doubt regarding a particular statement or belief.

there is no guarantee that

Focuses on the lack of certainty, rather than the act of presuming.

it would be premature to conclude that

Indicates that a conclusion is being reached too early, before sufficient evidence is available.

we must not jump to the conclusion that

Warns against making a hasty or unfounded judgment.

FAQs

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

Use "it cannot be presumed that" to express that something should not be automatically assumed without proof or evidence. For example, "It cannot be presumed that all students understand the material simply because they attend class".

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

Alternatives include "it should not be assumed that", "it is unwise to assume that", or "it is not necessarily the case that", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "it cannot be assumed that" or "it cannot be presumed that"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and share a similar meaning. "Presumed" often carries a slightly stronger implication of something taken for granted, while "assumed" is a more general term for supposing something is true.

What is the difference between "it cannot be presumed that" and "it cannot be concluded that"?

"It cannot be presumed that" suggests that a starting assumption is unwarranted. "It cannot be concluded that" suggests that a final determination or judgment is unsupported by evidence.