the answer is not knowable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the answer is not knowable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a question or situation is deemed impossible to answer or understand definitively. Example: "In matters of the universe's origin, some argue that the answer is not knowable, as it transcends human comprehension."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The answer is not.

Plosone

They occur when experimentation is necessary: when answers are not knowable in advance because this exact situation hasn't been encountered before and perhaps never will be again.

Harvard Business Review

The future is not knowable, but it isn't likely to be unfamiliar.

The New Yorker

Authorial knowledge has been deployed to show us that the past is not knowable.

The Guardian - Books

The magnitude of the crisis is not knowable because it lacks precedent.

Forbes

But since the latter is not knowable from the armchair, then it seems neither is the former (Levine 2003, Ellis 2007).

SEP

In claiming that the essence of a god is not knowable to us, Thomas is talking about its accessibility to philosophical inquiry.

SEP

Ravensbrück remains unknown perhaps because it is not knowable within the categories of historical analysis we apply to the Holocaust or to mass murder in general.

The Guardian - Books

But it is not knowable to us, because the essence of a god is unknowable to us.

SEP

Whether the material was indeed criminal or merely vile or inappropriate enough to result in their decertification -- maybe even prosecution -- is not knowable.

Huffington Post

"The attraction of medieval history is that quite a lot of it is not knowable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the answer is not knowable" when acknowledging fundamental limits to understanding or predicting outcomes, especially in philosophical or speculative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "the answer is not knowable" when a simple 'I don't know' or 'it's uncertain' suffices. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the unknowability is a significant point, not just a temporary lack of information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the answer is not knowable" functions as a declarative statement expressing that a particular question or problem lacks a definitive or ascertainable solution. It asserts a limit on knowledge or understanding, often in contexts where empirical evidence is unavailable or the subject matter is inherently speculative. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

20%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

13%

Wiki

13%

Social Media

14%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the answer is not knowable" is a grammatically sound expression used to indicate that a definitive answer to a question is impossible to ascertain. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. It is suitable for formal contexts, such as academic discussions or philosophical inquiries, where acknowledging the limits of knowledge is appropriate. While grammatically correct, the phrase should be used judiciously, avoiding overuse in casual settings where simpler alternatives suffice. Related phrases include "the question is unanswerable" or "we have no way of knowing", each subtly altering the focus. Ultimately, this expression highlights the boundaries of human understanding, recognizing that some questions may transcend the scope of available knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the question is unanswerable

Directly states that the question has no answer, emphasizing its unsolvable nature.

we have no way of knowing

Expresses the lack of means or method to obtain knowledge about something.

the solution remains elusive

Focuses on the difficulty of finding a solution, implying that a knowable answer is hard to reach.

the truth is unattainable

Emphasizes the impossibility of reaching a definitive truth, rather than simply not knowing the answer.

we cannot determine the response

Highlights the inability to find out or decide on a response, indicating uncertainty.

it's impossible to know the outcome

Shifts the focus to the impossibility of predicting a result, suggesting inherent uncertainty.

the outcome is uncertain

Highlights that the final result is unknown, underlining the uncertainty of the situation.

the matter is beyond comprehension

Focuses on the difficulty in understanding the matter itself, not just the answer.

the mystery persists

Highlights the continuation of the mystery, implying no resolution or knowable answer.

it defies explanation

Emphasizes the inability to explain something, suggesting that a knowable answer cannot be given.

FAQs

How can I use "the answer is not knowable" in a sentence?

You can use "the answer is not knowable" to express that something is impossible to determine or understand definitively. For example: "Whether the universe is infinite, the answer is not knowable with current technology."

What's a more common way to say "the answer is not knowable"?

More common alternatives include "the answer is unknown", "it's impossible to know", or "we can't know for sure".

Is it grammatically correct to say "the answer is not knowable"?

Yes, "the answer is not knowable" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and uses 'knowable' as an adjective.

Are there situations where saying "the answer is not knowable" is inappropriate?

While grammatically sound, "the answer is not knowable" might sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "I don't know" or "it is uncertain".