we cannot interpret

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "we cannot interpret" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to express that you are unable to come to a definite conclusion or understanding of something. For example, "We cannot interpret the data in the report, but it appears to show a trend."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

When Cindy says "I don't like parties," we cannot interpret her as meaning what she said because on that interpretation she would be violating Quality.

SEP

But we cannot interpret Cindy as meaning the opposite of what she said, because on that interpretation, she would be violating Manner.

SEP

"The Bible equates homosexuality with perversity, and as Christians we cannot interpret God's word to suit modern lifestyles".

The New York Times

The tenebrous voids that darken her beauty make us unconsciously recognise that we cannot interpret this as merely a portrait with a landscape in the background.

The Guardian - Arts

The overall pattern of our dress, be it grass skirts or tailored clothes, is a consequence of the society in which we live … we cannot interpret the clothing of other societies, we cannot understand their significance, if we have not learned the code," she says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Although we observed comparable escape latencies for male TTC9A+/+, male TTC9A−/−, and female TTC9A−/− in the home-cage emergence test, we cannot interpret that both the TTC9A+/+ and TTC9A−/− male mice were highly anxious as other behavioral tests showed no significant difference in their exploratory and anxiety-related behaviors.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

We therefore cannot interpret this study to say shift work causes cancer".

Independent

We therefore cannot interpret lack of access to obstetric care as the explanation for the effects of socioeconomic status on cesarean delivery use.

Health Economics Review

We therefore cannot interpret mean weight change across different time points as a trajectory.

British Medical Journal

All of these results indicate that the RESS mechanism might be compromised in Δ Ncap3m, even though we still cannot interpret the detailed mechanism at present.

Biotechnology for Biofuels

Of course, the dose-effect relationship of CNS drugs includes many more variables than the number of differently colored pins in the Mastermind game, and this is the reason that we just cannot interpret the data solely by "eye-ball analysis" and need to use advanced mathematical modeling [ 30, 31, 129- 132].

Fluids and Barriers of the CNS

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we cannot interpret" when you genuinely lack the ability to draw a conclusion from available information, ensuring clarity and avoiding speculation.

Common error

Avoid using "we cannot interpret" as a way to dismiss information entirely; instead, acknowledge the limitations while suggesting potential avenues for future analysis or understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we cannot interpret" functions as a declarative statement expressing an inability to understand or derive meaning from something. As Ludwig AI notes, this expression is used when available information does not allow for a definite conclusion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we cannot interpret" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express an inability to understand or draw conclusions from available data or information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in various contexts, including science, news, and academic writing. While the phrase is relatively neutral, it's important to avoid overstating uncertainty and use it appropriately. Related phrases such as "we are unable to understand" or "we cannot make sense of" offer similar meanings with slightly different connotations. The phrase has an "Uncommon" frequency, with the most authoritative sources being The Guardian and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are unable to understand

Emphasizes a lack of understanding due to capacity or knowledge.

we are not able to interpret

Similar to the original, but uses a slightly more formal tone.

we fail to comprehend

Highlights a failure in understanding, suggesting a possible complexity.

we cannot make sense of

Indicates an inability to find a coherent meaning or explanation.

we are baffled by

Suggests confusion and bewilderment regarding the subject.

we are at a loss to explain

Expresses an inability to provide an explanation for something.

interpretation eludes us

Indicates that the interpretation is difficult to reach or grasp.

we find it impossible to interpret

Emphasizes the impossibility of the interpretation process.

understanding remains beyond our grasp

Highlights that the understanding is out of reach or unattainable.

the meaning escapes us

Suggests that the meaning is hidden or not immediately apparent.

FAQs

What does "we cannot interpret" mean?

The phrase "we cannot interpret" means that a group or individual is unable to understand or draw conclusions from something. It suggests a lack of ability to make sense of information.

When is it appropriate to use "we cannot interpret" in a sentence?

It's appropriate to use "we cannot interpret" when expressing an inability to understand or make sense of data, observations, or other information. For example, "We cannot interpret the results of the experiment with the available data."

What are some alternatives to "we cannot interpret"?

Some alternatives to "we cannot interpret" include "we are unable to understand", "we cannot make sense of", or "understanding remains beyond our grasp". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

How formal is the phrase "we cannot interpret"?

The phrase "we cannot interpret" is relatively neutral in formality and can be used in a variety of contexts, including academic, scientific, and professional settings. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language than on the phrase itself.