B2–C1 · CLF · CLF055

We cannot rule out [X]

A reusable frame from “Evidence and inference”. Connect a claim to evidence without overclaiming.

EN · EnglishWe cannot rule out [X].
DE · GermanWir können [X] nicht ausschließen.

Try variations5 · more examples

  1. RU · Translation

    Мы не можем исключить проблему со временем.

    EN · English

     We  cannot  rule out a timing issue.

    DE · German

     Wir  können  ein Timing-Problem nicht  ausschließen.

  2. RU · Translation

    Мы не можем исключить ошибку пользователя, но процесс должен затруднять её.

    EN · English

     We  cannot  rule out user error, but  the workflow  should  make  it harder.

    DE · German

     Wir  können  einen Nutzerfehler nicht  ausschließen, aber  der Workflow  sollte  ihn  erschweren.

  3. RU · Translation

    Мы не можем исключить скрытую зависимость.

    EN · English

     We  cannot  rule out a hidden dependency.

    DE · German

     Wir  können  eine versteckte Abhängigkeit nicht  ausschließen.

  4. RU · Translation

    Мы не можем исключить смещение выборки.

    EN · English

     We  cannot  rule out that  the sample  is  biased.

    DE · German

     Wir  können nicht  ausschließen, dass  die Stichprobe  verzerrt  ist.

  5. RU · Translation

    Мы не можем исключить второй тип сбоя.

    EN · English

     We  cannot  rule out a second failure mode.

    DE · German

     Wir  können  einen zweiten Fehlermodus nicht  ausschließen.

Use this move when you want to…

Reasoning move · Challenge

Challenge

What it does

Keep a possibility open because current evidence does not eliminate it.

When to use it

Use it when a hypothesis remains plausible even if it is not the leading explanation.

Common mistake

Cannot rule out does not mean likely.

Pattern graph

Continue with nearby patterns

Related reasoning patterns4

Nearby structures let you perform the same reasoning move in a different form.

  1. This explains [X], but it doesn't explain [Y].Challenge · same reasoning move · same study set
  2. That assumes that [X], which may not hold.Challenge · same reasoning move · same study set
  3. [X] is necessary but not sufficient for [Y].Limit · same study set
  4. [X] alone is not enough to [V].Limit · same study set

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