it cannot be shown that

USAGE SUMMARY

'it cannot be shown that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are making a statement in which the truthfulness of something cannot be verified. For example: "It cannot be shown that climate change is directly caused by human activity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"I think it cannot be shown that when I have once taken a position, I have ever retreated from it".

The New York Times

Quite the contrary, Many do not want and will not want to attend and it cannot be shown that all young per sons will benefit sufficiently from attendance to justify their time and the expense involved.

The New York Times

But if God is understood in the second way, Ockham thinks that it cannot be shown that there is only one god.

SEP

If so, it cannot be shown that the story is likely to be true, but neither can it be shown that the story is unlikely to be true.

SEP

At the same time, it is important to be aware that it cannot be shown that things have fixed natures and that there is no reason to believe about any of our beliefs that they are grounded.

SEP

(Although this can be shown, the converse cannot; that is, it cannot be shown that if X and K satisfy (F) then X follows from K according to Tarski's definition.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

However, for Δgrr1 it cannot be shown at 95% confidence level that the prediction rate is significantly better than with a random model.

BMC Systems Biology

Wilson et al. (2002) make the point that it cannot be shown whether consultation length itself is the important variable, or whether it is simply a marker for other attributes of the doctor, e.g. female GPs have longer consultations, give more lifestyle advice, prescribe less, recognized more psychosocial problems and did more examinations.

BMC Health Services Research

Thieves rarely think past the first step; they steal a priceless painting soon to find there's no market for it due, in part, to its high visibility and recognition that means it cannot be shown.

Huffington Post

The multiple reward compliance protocol may have limited value if it cannot be shown to generalize to other investigations that employ different research personnel, different types of neurophysiological techniques and more challenging pediatric populations, such as children with anxiety or depression.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Under section 7 of the Anti-Trust Act, as under section 8 of the Act to Regulate Commerce (Pennsyl vania R. Co. v. International Coal Mining Co., 230 U. S. 184, 33 Sup. Ct. 893, 57 L. Ed. 1446, Ann. Cas. 1915A, 315), recovery cannot be had unless it is shown, that, as a result of defendants' acts, damages in some amount susceptible of expression in figures resulted.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it cannot be shown that" when you want to express that a statement lacks sufficient evidence or proof. Ensure your claim is supported by thorough research or logical reasoning.

Common error

Avoid using "it cannot be shown that" to imply absolute impossibility. The phrase indicates a current lack of proof, not a permanent condition. Be open to the possibility of future evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it cannot be shown that" functions as a hedge, used to express uncertainty or a lack of definitive proof regarding a claim. It is often employed in academic or scientific discourse to avoid making overly strong assertions. Ludwig provides examples of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it cannot be shown that" is a phrase used to express a lack of definitive proof or evidence for a particular claim. Ludwig AI confirms that it's appropriate for written English. It is commonly found in scientific and academic contexts, indicating uncertainty or caution in making strong assertions. While grammatically correct, its frequency is uncommon, with related phrases like "it cannot be proven that" offering similar nuances. When using this phrase, be sure to clearly state the reasons why proof is lacking and avoid implying absolute impossibility, as future evidence may change the assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it cannot be proven that

Replaces "shown" with "proven", emphasizing the lack of definitive proof.

it cannot be demonstrated that

Substitutes "shown" with "demonstrated", focusing on the lack of evidence.

it cannot be established that

Uses "established" instead of "shown", highlighting the failure to confirm or validate.

there is no proof that

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the absence of proof rather than the inability to show.

evidence does not indicate that

Shifts the focus to the lack of indicative evidence.

it remains unproven that

Highlights the continuing lack of proof.

the evidence does not support that

Focuses on how the available evidence fails to support the statement.

there is no indication that

Emphasizes the absence of any signs or hints supporting the statement.

it is not possible to prove that

Rephrases to highlight the impossibility of proving something.

it is unconfirmed that

Highlights the lack of confirmation.

FAQs

What does "it cannot be shown that" mean?

The phrase "it cannot be shown that" indicates that there is a lack of evidence or proof to support a particular claim or statement.

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

You can use "it cannot be shown that" to express the absence of demonstrable proof for a given assertion. For example, "it cannot be shown that increased screen time directly causes ADHD".

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

Alternatives include phrases like "it cannot be proven that", "it cannot be demonstrated that", or "there is no proof that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "it cannot be shown that" in formal writing?

Yes, "it cannot be shown that" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic or scientific contexts, where precision and a focus on evidence are crucial. Ludwig confirms this is suitable for a range of contexts.