we cannot establish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we cannot establish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something cannot be determined, confirmed, or proven. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, we cannot establish a clear link between the two events."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We cannot establish justice by committing injustice.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The reality may be that we cannot establish peace but we can establish justice.

The Guardian

At this point in time we cannot establish whether all persons are accounted for.

Independent

He explains, "Without confrontation in the field and seizing control of the land, we cannot establish a state, which is the strategic goal of the resistance".

The New Yorker

NatWest is unable to trace the person you spoke to when you opened the account, so we cannot establish what you were and were not told.

The Guardian - Money

"We cannot establish that alcohol causes brain atrophy, but [the work] does suggest that".

Science Magazine

Due to the cross-sectional study design we cannot establish a causal link between empathy and social attributions.

Journal of Psychiatric Research

Since naturally ventilated buildings respond to site conditions and microclimate, we cannot establish a "one set of criteria" for every naturally ventilated building.

Applied Energy

In addition, we cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship between TrPs and CTTH, because the design of the study was not longitudinal.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

We cannot establish whether these organo-mineral complexes were present in the soil and have been extracted or whether they are formed between two dissolved separated phases.

Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture

When Z is provably not 0, we will be able to prove ∃1xρ[ ×ρρρ Zρ = 1ρ] and Z × Z−1 = 1, but if we cannot establish that Z is not 0, nothing significant about Z−1 will be provable.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we cannot establish", ensure that you clearly state the reason for the inability to establish something. Providing context strengthens the statement and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "we cannot establish" when there is some, albeit weak, evidence. Consider using phrases that reflect a degree of uncertainty, such as "we can only tentatively suggest" or "the evidence weakly supports".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we cannot establish" functions as a declarative statement expressing an inability to confirm, prove, or determine something definitively. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. It is frequently used in research and reporting to acknowledge limitations or uncertainties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

23%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we cannot establish" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate an inability to definitively prove, confirm, or determine something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's particularly common in scientific and news contexts, where objectivity and precision are important. When using this phrase, clarity and context are key to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "we are unable to determine" or "we cannot confirm" offer subtle variations in meaning. While widely applicable, overstating uncertainty should be avoided to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are unable to determine

Replaces "cannot establish" with a more formal synonym, focusing on the lack of ability.

we are unable to ascertain

Uses "ascertain" to emphasize the difficulty in finding something out for certain.

we cannot confirm

Focuses specifically on the lack of confirmation for a statement or fact.

we cannot prove

Highlights the inability to provide conclusive proof.

we are unable to verify

Emphasizes the lack of validation for something.

it is not possible for us to determine

A more verbose alternative, highlighting the impossibility of the determination.

the evidence does not allow us to conclude

Shifts the focus to the limitations of the evidence.

we lack the means to demonstrate

Emphasizes a lack of resources or tools to show something.

the data does not support the assertion

Highlights the insufficient data to make a claim.

we are not in a position to judge

Implies a lack of authority or sufficient information to make a judgment.

FAQs

What does "we cannot establish" mean?

The phrase "we cannot establish" means that something cannot be definitively proven, confirmed, or determined based on available evidence or information. It indicates a lack of conclusive certainty.

What can I say instead of "we cannot establish"?

You can use alternatives like "we are unable to determine", "we cannot confirm", or "we cannot prove", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "we cannot establish" or "we could not establish"?

Both "we cannot establish" and "we could not establish" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "We cannot establish" indicates a present inability, while "we could not establish" refers to a past inability. The choice depends on the time frame you are referring to.

How formal is the phrase "we cannot establish"?

The phrase "we cannot establish" is suitable for formal and professional contexts, such as academic papers, reports, and business communications. In more informal settings, you might opt for a more casual phrase, but it's generally appropriate across various registers.