it is not attested

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "It is not attested" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when something cannot be proven or confirmed. For example, "Although it's been suggested, it is not attested that this creature ever existed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

For example, Latin visus comes from the older, reconstructed form *wissos 'seen'; this is cognate with High German gi-wiss 'surely known' and Old Irish ro-fess 'is known,' all of these forms deriving from an Indo-European term *wid-to-s, with d + t. (An asterisk before a word means that it is not attested but reconstructed).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Thus, some scholars claim that Sanskrit kaṭu 'sharp, pungent' is from Dravidian, but others claim that it is a Middle Indo-Aryan form deriving from an earlier *kṛt-u 'cutting' (root kṛt; an asterisk preceding a form indicates that it is not attested but has been reconstructed as a hypothetical form).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hemming may have invented Eadric's byname of Streona, as it is not attested before appearing in Hemming's work.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The early history of the Pug is not attested to in detail, it is accepted that modern Pugs are descended from dogs imported to Europe from China in the 16th century.

Wikipedia

This appellation is not attested in earlier Christian prose, though it is anticipated in Philo and Numenius.

SEP

The haoma cult was practiced at Persepolis, but animal sacrifice is not attested.

Encyclopedia Britannica

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the latter sense is not attested in English until after Knox's death.

The New York Times - Books

(An asterisk before a letter or word indicates that the sound or word is not attested but is a hypothetical, reconstructed form).

Encyclopedia Britannica

But there is little supporting evidence for this claim, and the presence of Dravidian speakers throughout the whole subcontinent at any time in history is not attested.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Pythagorean doctrine of a cyclic universe may also be derived from India, but the Indian theory of cosmic cycles is not attested in the 6th century bce.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is not attested in any known records; all that is sure is that bubonic plague invaded Europe and the Middle East in 1347 via the steppe.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is not attested", ensure that the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to. Clarity is crucial for avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it is not attested" when referring to people or animals. 'Attested' typically applies to facts, events, or concepts, not living beings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not attested" functions as an impersonal passive construction, indicating the absence of evidence or documentation for a specific claim or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, indicating it's used to express that something lacks support in reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

News & Media

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is not attested" is used to indicate a lack of evidence or historical record for a given claim or entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and employed in contexts where verifiable information is essential, such as encyclopedias, scientific publications, and news articles. While the phrase is accurate, remember to clarify what 'it' refers to and avoid using 'attested' with animate subjects. Alternatives like "it lacks documentation" or "no record exists" can provide similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it lacks documentation

Emphasizes the absence of formal records or evidence.

it is unsupported by evidence

Highlights the absence of proof or corroboration.

it is not recorded

Focuses on the absence of a written or otherwise preserved account.

no record exists

Directly states that there is no existing documentation.

it is not found in the literature

Indicates absence from scholarly publications.

it is not corroborated

Focuses on the lack of independent verification.

there is no proof

States a lack of evidence in a direct manner.

it remains unproven

Emphasizes that an idea or claim has not been validated.

it has not been established

Indicates that something has not been firmly determined or proven.

it is merely speculative

Highlights the lack of factual basis, suggesting conjecture instead.

FAQs

How can I use "it is not attested" in a sentence?

Use "it is not attested" to indicate that something lacks evidence or historical record. For example, "Although mentioned in folklore, its existence "it is not attested" by any scientific evidence."

What phrases are similar to "it is not attested"?

Alternatives include "it lacks documentation", "it is unsupported by evidence", or "no record exists" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it isn't attested"?

Yes, "it isn't attested" is a contraction of "it is not attested" and is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts. The meaning remains the same.

What's the difference between "it is not attested" and "it is unconfirmed"?

"It is not attested" implies a lack of historical or documentary evidence, while "it is unconfirmed" suggests that something has not been verified, often in a more contemporary or immediate sense. Therefore, "it is not attested" focuses on the past while "it is unconfirmed" is current.