a unscathed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a unscathed" is not correct; it should be "unscathed" without the article "a." You can use "unscathed" to describe someone or something that has come through a situation without injury or damage. An example is: "After the storm, the house stood unscathed." Alternative expressions include "unharmed" and "untouched."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

From the summit, one by one, boarders can carve a personal line down an unscathed mountainside, where it's not uncommon to find wildlife, such as a herd of leaping Alpine ibex, watching your every move.

The Guardian - Travel

For many tablet owners, a case is a must – it can be the difference between an unscathed device and having to fork out money for repairs.

Independent

Russia has already incurred a $27 billion price tag for incorporating an unscathed Crimea into Russia.

Forbes

This can save you a lot of money in the long run if you plan on maintaining an unscathed exterior coat of paint.

WikiHow

From Point Reyes Station, the tiny town that sits outside the park's eastern edge, an unscathed landscape stretches out in marshes, tide pools and old pine forests, in pristine beaches and pastures broken at the ocean by granite bluffs.

The New York Times - Travel

With statistics like this, does anyone really believe there is such thing as an "unscathed" combat soldier?

Huffington Post

There's already talk that the short delay requested by Flake was a sham, meant to make it easier for Republicans to vote in Kavanaugh with an unscathed conscience or character.

Huffington Post

You can remove the dry grounds and place them in an unscathed, used and emptied capsule and just cover with foil and brew as normal.

WikiHow

But when he miraculously survived a train wreck unscathed, a dark secret emerged: he was physically indestructible.

The New York Times

To see a young daughter, faced with the terrible fact of a pregnancy, unscathed by it and completely her old self again was magical.

The New York Times

He reminded them that no one goes through a season unscathed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use 'unscathed' as a post-positive adjective or subject complement when referring to survival after a catastrophe. It often follows verbs like 'emerge', 'escape' or 'remain' to add emphasis to the outcome.

Common error

Do not assume that the article 'a' can be used just because 'unscathed' follows a consonant-heavy thought. Phonology dictates that since 'unscathed' starts with the /ʌ/ vowel sound, 'an' is the only grammatically acceptable choice. Writers often make this mistake when rushing through drafts or when thinking of a synonym that starts with a consonant, like 'safe'.

How to use

Learn how to use "a unscathed" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The query "a unscathed" represents a phonological error in the use of the indefinite article. According to Ludwig AI and standard English rules, the article 'a' must be replaced by 'an' because the following adjective begins with a vowel sound (/ʌ/). In sentence structures, 'unscathed' typically functions as an adjective modifying a noun or as a predicative adjective following a linking verb.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, the phrase "a unscathed" is a grammatical error that should always be corrected to "an unscathed". Data from Ludwig indicates that while the query itself has zero exact matches in high-quality literature, the adjective 'unscathed' is a robust and sophisticated term used extensively in journalism and formal writing to denote resilience and survival. It is most frequently used in the context of escaping accidents or weathering political and economic storms. To ensure professional quality in your writing, always favor the vowel-compliant article 'an' or use synonyms like "unharmed" if the 'a/an' distinction is confusing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unscathed

Corrects the indefinite article from 'a' to 'an' to match the vowel sound of the adjective.

emerged unscathed

Common verb-adjective pairing used to describe surviving a dangerous situation without injury.

came through unscathed

A phrasal verb construction focusing on the process of enduring a trial without harm.

remained unscathed

Emphasizes the continuous state of being unharmed throughout a specific duration or crisis.

unharmed

Uses a synonym that describes someone or something not physically or emotionally damaged.

untouched

Suggests that something remains in its original state and has not been affected by a negative event.

without a scratch

An idiomatic expression conveying the exact same meaning of being completely uninjured.

safe and sound

A traditional idiom that emphasizes both safety and the lack of any damage or injury.

injury-free

A more literal and modern compound adjective often used in sports and medical contexts.

in one piece

Informal idiom describing surviving an ordeal without being broken or seriously hurt.

FAQs

Is "a unscathed" grammatically correct?

No, it is not correct. You should use "an unscathed" because the word unscathed starts with a vowel sound.

What is the difference between "a unscathed" and "an unscathed"?

The difference is purely grammatical. In English, we use 'an' before words starting with vowel sounds and 'a' before consonant sounds. Therefore, only "an unscathed" is valid.

How do I use unscathed in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone who survived a crisis without harm, such as: 'The pilot escaped the crash "unscathed"' or 'The antique table remained "unscathed" after the move'.

What can I say instead of "unscathed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "unharmed", "untouched", or the idiom "without a scratch".