we cannot trust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we cannot trust" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or lack of confidence in someone or something's reliability or truthfulness. Example: "Given the recent events, we cannot trust the information provided by that source."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We cannot trust anybody".

The New York Times

"We cannot trust them.

The New York Times

And we cannot trust this America".

The Guardian

If we cannot trust democratic bodies to treat government workers fairly, then we cannot trust democratic bodies generally.Emphasis mine.

The Economist

Mr. Ai, the artist, said: "That has become a soap opera, a drama that teaches everybody we cannot trust this government, we cannot trust this society".

The New York Times

"If we cannot trust our children with cops, who can we trust?" one sign said.

The New York Times

But it "shows us we have friends who we cannot trust," said Mr. Barakzai, 43.

The New York Times

We need to be realists because we cannot trust ourselves to be moralists.

The New Yorker

As we have learned in the past weeks, we cannot trust George W Bush".

The Guardian

If we cannot trust the players, then the game itself becomes meaningless.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is clear we cannot trust the Buildings Department to keep construction sites safe.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we cannot trust", clearly state the reason for the lack of trust to avoid ambiguity. For example, "We cannot trust the data because it was collected improperly."

Common error

Avoid making broad, unsubstantiated statements like "We cannot trust anyone." Instead, specify who or what is not to be trusted and provide a clear rationale.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we cannot trust" functions as a declarative statement expressing a lack of confidence or reliance. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, supported by numerous examples demonstrating its widespread use in various contexts. The primary grammatical function is to express distrust.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we cannot trust" is a common expression used to convey a lack of confidence or reliance on someone or something. Ludwig AI analysis reveals its grammatical correctness and frequent occurrence, primarily in news and media contexts. While its register is generally neutral, the expression's impact is significant as it clearly communicates doubt and skepticism. To avoid overgeneralization, it's best to specify the object of distrust and the reasons behind it. Consider alternatives like "we should not believe" or "we lack confidence in" depending on the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we distrust

A more concise way to express a lack of trust.

we should not believe

Suggests a lack of acceptance or faith in something.

we must not rely on

Emphasizes the importance of not depending on something or someone.

we have no faith in

Highlights a complete absence of trust or confidence.

we are suspicious of

Indicates a degree of distrust and potential doubt.

we question the reliability of

Directly challenges the dependability or accuracy of something.

we doubt the veracity of

Expresses uncertainty regarding the truthfulness or accuracy.

we harbor reservations about

Implies a concealed sense of mistrust or apprehension.

we are skeptical of

Highlights a questioning attitude towards claims or promises.

we lack confidence in

Indicates a deficiency in assurance or certainty.

FAQs

What does "we cannot trust" mean?

The phrase "we cannot trust" expresses a lack of confidence or belief in the reliability, honesty, or integrity of someone or something.

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

You can use "we cannot trust" to express doubt or skepticism, as in "After the scandal, "we cannot trust" the company's financial reports anymore."

What's a more formal alternative to "we cannot trust"?

A more formal alternative would be "we lack confidence in" or "we have reservations about".

What can I say instead of "we cannot trust" to express doubt?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "we should not believe", "we are skeptical of", or "we must not rely on".