we cannot be certain that

USAGE SUMMARY

"we cannot be certain that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when making an argument or expressing doubt about the truth or accuracy of a particular statement. For example: "We cannot be certain that the effects of climate change can be reversed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We cannot be certain that they would not succeed.

The Guardian

We cannot be certain that he will crack in time.

Independent

"We cannot be certain that the virus will not get nastier.

The Guardian

But he added: "We cannot be certain that the recent spike in gasoline prices in the U.S. is behind us.

The New York Times

Based on what we know of Facebook's internal audit to date, however, we cannot be certain that all the suspicious transactions have been identified.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We cannot be certain that this in fact occurred, but of all of the ignition scenarios that we considered, this scenario is the most likely," Mr. Loeb said.

The New York Times

We often cannot release a person from section because we cannot be certain that he or she will be safe once in the community.

The Guardian

"We cannot be certain that we will be able to attain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis," the company said in its filing.

The New York Times

We cannot be certain that these answers actually reflect investor behavior.

Business Research

Of course, we need to realize that beyond a certain limit we cannot be certain that there is NO risk.

Forbes

In this sense, we cannot be certain that other, perhaps similar instructional practices are not associated with student test scores.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we cannot be certain that", clearly articulate the reasons for uncertainty to maintain transparency and build credibility with your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "we cannot be certain that" as a means to evade responsibility or dismiss valid concerns. Instead, pair it with proactive steps to mitigate potential risks or gather more information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we cannot be certain that" functions as an epistemic hedge, indicating a lack of complete certainty or assurance. This is verified by Ludwig AI, which identifies the phrase as grammatically correct. It serves to qualify a statement, acknowledging that absolute proof or prediction is not possible. For instance, 'We cannot be certain that the virus will not get nastier'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we cannot be certain that" is a versatile tool for expressing uncertainty in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Predominantly found in scientific and news media sources, the phrase serves as an epistemic hedge, qualifying statements and acknowledging the absence of absolute proof. When using this phrase, it's best practice to provide supporting reasons for the uncertainty and avoid using it as a means of evading responsibility. Alternatives like "we cannot guarantee that" or "it is uncertain whether" can offer nuanced variations depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we cannot guarantee that

Replaces 'certain' with 'guarantee', suggesting a lack of assurance about a specific outcome.

we cannot assure that

Substitutes 'certain' with 'assure', indicating an inability to confidently promise something.

we cannot confirm that

Changes 'certain' to 'confirm', implying a lack of verification for a piece of information.

it is not definite that

Rephrases to emphasize the indefiniteness of a situation.

it is uncertain whether

Expresses doubt about a particular condition or event.

we have no assurance that

Highlights the absence of any guarantees regarding a future event.

there's no guarantee that

Emphasizes the lack of a guarantee for a specific outcome.

it remains to be seen whether

Suggests that the outcome is yet to be determined.

it is dubious that

Replaces the neutral tone with one suggesting strong doubt or skepticism.

the possibility remains that

Focuses on the continued existence of a possibility, implying uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "we cannot be certain that" in a sentence?

You can use "we cannot be certain that" to express uncertainty about a future outcome or a present condition. For example, "We cannot be certain that the new policy will lead to increased productivity".

What's the difference between "we cannot be certain that" and "we cannot be sure that"?

The phrases "we cannot be certain that" and "we cannot be sure that" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. Both express a lack of complete confidence or assurance.

What are some alternatives to "we cannot be certain that"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "we cannot guarantee that", "it is uncertain whether", or "the possibility remains that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "we cannot be certain that" in formal writing?

Yes, "we cannot be certain that" is generally appropriate for formal writing, especially when presenting research findings or making qualified statements. However, ensure that the level of uncertainty is justified by the available evidence.