unable to determine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unable to determine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a conclusion or decision cannot be reached based on the available information. Example: "After reviewing the data, we are currently unable to determine the cause of the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But at this point, I've been unable to determine that".

The New York Times

Doctors operated but were unable to determine the cause.

The New York Times - Magazine

Dr. Wood initially said she was unable to determine the cause of Ms. McPherson's death.

The New York Times

The Times has been unable to determine what original reporting Mr. Blair did to produce it.

The New York Times

Despite repeated requests, Pentagon auditors said they were unable to determine why the payments were made.

The New York Times

The vast majority of them, for reasons he was unable to determine, were middle-aged women.

The New York Times - Health

Whether this had anything to do with his scholarly activity I was unable to determine.

The New Yorker

A home office pathologist was unable to determine exactly what caused Jordan Begley's death.

The Guardian

("The AP was unable to determine whether Mohammed ever read the famous novel").

The New Yorker

The service engineer was unable to determine the fault on this occasion.

The Guardian - Money

Unable to determine that the meal client was safe, I decided to phone the police.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unable to determine", provide context on why the determination is not possible. This adds clarity and transparency to your statement.

Common error

Don't simply state that you're "unable to determine" something without explaining what efforts were made or what limitations were encountered. Provide specific reasons to demonstrate thoroughness and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to determine" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied subject, expressing a state of incapacity or lack of ability to reach a conclusion or decision. This is supported by Ludwig AI and numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

47%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unable to determine" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for conveying a lack of certainty or resolution. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, particularly in news and scientific writing. While alternatives like "cannot ascertain" or "incapable of determining" exist, understanding the nuances of each can improve precision. When using the phrase, remember to provide context on why the determination is not possible and avoid vagueness to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot ascertain

Implies a stronger inability to find something out, often suggesting a formal inquiry.

incapable of determining

Highlights a lack of capability or capacity to make a determination.

not able to establish

Focuses on the failure to firmly set or prove something.

could not figure out

Suggests a more active attempt to understand that was unsuccessful.

failed to discern

Emphasizes a lack of clear perception or understanding.

have not been able to identify

Specifically relates to not being able to recognize or point out something.

it is not possible to conclude

Highlights the impossibility of drawing a specific conclusion.

the cause remains unknown

Specifies that the reason for something is still not discovered.

cannot resolve

Focuses on the inability to settle or find a solution.

beyond my comprehension

Expresses a personal lack of understanding, often indicating complexity.

FAQs

How can I use "unable to determine" in a sentence?

You can use "unable to determine" to indicate a lack of certainty or resolution, such as "Researchers were "unable to determine" the cause of the outbreak" or "The committee was "unable to determine" the reasons for the changes".

What are some alternatives to saying "unable to determine"?

Alternatives include "cannot ascertain", "incapable of determining", or "not able to establish" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "unable to determine" or "impossible to determine"?

"Unable to determine" suggests a current lack of ability, while "impossible to determine" implies that it cannot be determined at all. The choice depends on whether future determination is potentially possible.

What's the difference between "unable to determine" and "unable to ascertain"?

While similar, "ascertain" often implies a more formal or thorough investigation. You might use "unable to ascertain" when referring to facts or truths discovered through investigation.