we cannot determine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we cannot determine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or inability to reach a conclusion about a particular matter. Example: "After reviewing the data, we cannot determine the cause of the discrepancy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We cannot determine guilt or innocence.

The New York Times

However, we cannot determine causality with these studies alone.

Nature

"What worries me is a lot of kids affected in some way we cannot determine yet".

The New York Times - Health

We cannot determine whether or not a movie will be played in movie theaters," said Lynton.

The Guardian - Film

But then at some point, the theory shows that we cannot determine certain things.

The New York Times

We cannot determine whether or not a movie will be played in movie theatres".

Independent

We cannot determine if we are providing good customer service.

Forbes

Thus we cannot determine precisely both position and momentum.

SEP

We cannot determine if discharge to geriatrics was beneficial.

Annals of Intensive Care

We cannot determine production conditions until the radius of investigation has reached the drainage radius.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

From this broad peak, we cannot determine the linewidth of the individual excitonic lines.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we cannot determine", ensure the reason for the inability is clear or implied in the surrounding context. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid following "we cannot determine" with a speculative statement presented as fact. Instead, acknowledge the uncertainty and propose potential avenues for further investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we cannot determine" functions as a statement of epistemic limitation. It expresses the inability to establish a fact, cause, or relationship with certainty. Ludwig's examples show its use in scientific research, news reporting, and general discourse to acknowledge uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

40%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we cannot determine" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate an inability to reach a definite conclusion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. The phrase is most frequently found in science and news contexts, and its function is to express epistemic limitation. When using this phrase, ensure that the reason for the inability is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "we are unable to ascertain" or "it is impossible for us to know" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are unable to conclude

Focuses on the inability to reach a final decision or judgment.

we are unable to ascertain

Replaces "determine" with "ascertain", emphasizing a lack of ability to find something out definitively.

we lack sufficient information to decide

Highlights the absence of adequate data needed for a conclusion.

it is impossible for us to know

Uses a more emphatic "impossible" to convey the lack of knowledge or ability to find out.

it's not possible for us to establish

Replaces determine with establish to focus on building a foundation of evidence.

we are not in a position to judge

Indicates a lack of authority or information required to make a determination.

we are not able to pinpoint

Emphasizes the inability to identify something with precision or accuracy.

the answer remains elusive

Shifts the focus to the difficulty in finding an answer, framing it as hard to grasp.

we can't figure out

Uses a more informal tone with "figure out", suggesting a simpler process of discovery.

we're still in the dark about

A more figurative expression, suggesting a lack of understanding or knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "we cannot determine" in a sentence?

Use "we cannot determine" when you want to express an inability to reach a definite conclusion due to lack of information or other limitations. For example, "After analyzing the data, "we cannot determine" the exact cause of the error".

What are some alternatives to saying "we cannot determine"?

You can use alternatives like "we are unable to ascertain", "it is impossible for us to know", or "we lack sufficient information to decide" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "we cannot determine"?

Yes, "we cannot determine" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and is widely used in formal and informal contexts. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase.

What's the difference between ""we cannot determine"" and "we cannot infer"?

"We cannot determine" suggests an inability to find something out definitively or come to a firm conclusion. "We cannot infer" suggests an inability to deduce or conclude something based on the available evidence.