we cannot ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we cannot ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or inability to determine or find out information. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, we cannot ascertain the cause of the malfunction."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There will obviously be times where we cannot ascertain who had the assignment which got blown.

The New York Times

Even considering the allegations of fact as set forth in the complaint, we cannot ascertain allegations in the complaint that support each of these elements.

Harvard University

"We cannot ascertain the number of people killed for now, and moreover we cannot say what or who was responsible for the attack," Mr. Adenaike said.

The New York Times

Since this analysis only includes half of the data, we cannot ascertain whether the result represents the absence of a relationship at this short timescale or the lack of statistical power.

Nature

Even if both statesmen took into account political and public concerns ˆ a fact we cannot ascertain - we believe that they both acted out of a strong and sincere perception of what they thought at the time was Israel's interest.

The New York Times

Even though the respondent raised its prices to cover its costs, we cannot ascertain its precise injury because, as noted above, we do not know what might have happened in the absence of an overcharge.

Cornell University

It has been suggested that on the record we cannot ascertain whether the Illinois Supreme Court's denial of review of the order of January 15th was on federal or state grounds.

Cornell University

But if we cannot ascertain the truth then then we cannot ascertain the degree of truthlikeness of our theories either.

SEP

But that by itself does not tell us whether the predicate 'true' applies to cases where we cannot ascertain that it does.

SEP

EastNets has categorically denied these reports, saying "while we cannot ascertain the information that has been published, we can confirm that no EastNets customer data has been compromised in any way". It's certainly possible that the NSA compromised SWIFT SAAs.

Forbes

Dicker (2004: 201 2) remarks that we may be able to determine accurately the order some of our past states by means of such memories, but we cannot ascertain the order of most of our past experiences in this way.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience. If writing for a general audience, use simpler alternatives like "we cannot determine" or "we do not know" for better clarity.

Common error

While "we cannot ascertain" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "we don't know" or "we can't tell" when communicating informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we cannot ascertain" functions as a statement of limitation or inability. Grammatically, it's a declarative sentence expressing that the speaker or writer is unable to determine or establish something. Ludwig AI examples show frequent usage in contexts where definitive evidence is lacking.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

20%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we cannot ascertain" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express an inability to determine or establish something definitively. Ludwig AI analysis, as reflected by the search data, reveals that it is most commonly found in scientific and academic contexts, indicating a formal register. While appropriate for professional and technical writing, simpler alternatives may be preferable in informal settings. The phrase's frequent use in authoritative sources confirms its acceptability in formal communications. Consider using "we cannot determine", "we are unable to establish", or "we do not know" as contextual alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are unable to determine

Replaces "ascertain" with a more common synonym "determine" and uses "unable" instead of "cannot", resulting in a slightly less formal tone.

we are unable to establish

Substitutes "ascertain" with "establish", focusing on the inability to prove or confirm something.

we cannot determine with certainty

Adds "with certainty" for emphasis, highlighting the lack of definitive knowledge.

we cannot definitively say

Replaces "ascertain" with a more direct expression, "definitively say", indicating an inability to make a conclusive statement.

it is impossible for us to know

Expresses the impossibility of knowing something, shifting the focus to the limitation of knowledge.

the truth is beyond our knowledge

Indicates something is unknowable in a more abstract way.

we lack the means to discover

Focuses on the lack of resources or methods to find out something, making it a more elaborate substitution.

the matter defies understanding

Indicates something is so complex that it's incomprehensible.

we have no way of knowing

A simpler, more informal way of expressing the inability to ascertain something.

we are in the dark about

An idiomatic expression indicating a complete lack of information or understanding.

FAQs

What does "we cannot ascertain" mean?

The phrase "we cannot ascertain" means that it's impossible or very difficult to find something out definitely. It indicates a lack of certainty or definitive knowledge.

What are some alternatives to "we cannot ascertain"?

You can use alternatives like "we cannot determine", "we are unable to establish", or "we do not know" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "we cannot ascertain" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "we cannot ascertain" is quite formal. In informal contexts, consider using phrases like "we can't tell" or "we don't know" for better readability.

How do I use "we cannot ascertain" in a sentence?

Use "we cannot ascertain" when you want to express that you are unable to find out something definitely or establish something with certainty. For example, "After reviewing the data, "we cannot ascertain" the precise cause of the error".