we can only guess

USAGE SUMMARY

"we can only guess" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express uncertainty about a subject or to indicate that your knowledge about a particular topic is incomplete. For example, "What caused the car accident? We can only guess."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

We can only guess.

The New York Times - Books

Into what, we can only guess.

The New York Times

We can only guess what she feels.

The Guardian - Opinion

In which direction, we can only guess.

The Guardian - Business

We can only guess; she's been sketched from the back.

The New York Times - Books

We can only guess at what might have happened next.

The New York Times - Books

We can only guess about Bales's private demons.

The New York Times

Why? Babies are difficult to interrogate; we can only guess.

The New York Times

We can only guess how many years remain.

The Guardian - Opinion

We can only guess why he fails to mention her.

The New York Times - Books

"We can only guess what is out there.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "we can only guess" with a follow-up question or statement to highlight the unknown aspect of the situation, prompting further reflection or investigation.

Common error

Avoid overusing "we can only guess" in formal or academic writing. While it's acceptable, relying too heavily on this phrase can make your analysis seem less rigorous. Instead, consider more specific phrases like "further research is needed" or "the evidence suggests".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we can only guess" functions as an epistemic hedge, softening a statement and indicating a lack of certainty or definitive knowledge. It introduces an element of speculation, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we can only guess" is a very common phrase used to express uncertainty and speculation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and choose more precise language when greater rigor is required. It appears most frequently in news and media, indicating its role in discussing uncertain events and outcomes. While effective, remember to use it judiciously and consider more specific alternatives for formal or academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we can only speculate

Emphasizes the act of forming theories without firm evidence.

we can only surmise

Highlights the act of inferring something based on incomplete information.

it's anyone's guess

Indicates that the outcome is completely unpredictable.

we have no way of knowing

Focuses on the lack of available information.

the answer is unknown

States directly that the solution or explanation is not available.

it remains a mystery

Suggests that the reason or explanation is obscure or hidden.

we can only hypothesize

Focuses on forming a tentative explanation based on limited evidence.

we can only assume

Implies making a supposition without concrete proof.

it is purely conjecture

Highlights that the idea is based on speculation rather than facts.

the truth is elusive

Indicates that the actual facts are difficult to ascertain.

FAQs

How can I use "we can only guess" in a sentence?

"We can only guess" is used to express uncertainty or a lack of definitive knowledge about a situation. For example, "What the long-term effects of the policy will be, "we can only guess"."

What are some alternatives to "we can only guess"?

Alternatives to "we can only guess" include "we can only speculate", "it's anyone's guess", or "we have no way of knowing". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "we can only guess" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "we can only guess" may be considered informal for some academic contexts. More formal alternatives might include "it remains uncertain" or "further research is required".

What's the difference between "we can only guess" and "we can assume"?

"We can only guess" implies a lack of information and a high degree of uncertainty. "We can assume" suggests making a supposition based on some existing evidence or reasoning, even if not definitive.