an unlisted

USAGE SUMMARY

"an unlisted" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to something that is not included in a list or directory. Example: "He found an unlisted phone number in the old directory." Alternative expressions include "a non-listed" and "an omitted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This is an unlisted number".

The New York Times

He now has an unlisted phone number.

The New York Times

Mr. Ryttenberg has an unlisted phone number.

The New York Times

Mr. Cloidt has an unlisted number.

The New York Times

Mr. Ameruso has an unlisted telephone number in Nassau County.

The New York Times

His company has an unlisted telephone number in New York.

The New York Times

La Esquina opened in SoHo in 2005 with an unlisted phone number and an attitude.

The New York Times

His father has an unlisted number, and attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.

The Guardian

But viewers of an unlisted video can still forward the Web address to others.

The New York Times

Brands could also be guaranteed product placement in each of the blogs for an unlisted sum.

The New York Times

Mr. Wynne immediately got an unlisted phone number to avoid homophobic hate calls.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an unlisted" to describe phone numbers, YouTube videos, or companies that are intentionally kept out of public directories for privacy or security reasons.

Common error

A frequent mistake is writing 'a unlisted number' instead of "an unlisted" number. Remember that the choice between 'a' and 'an' depends on the sound of the following word, not just the letter. Since 'unlisted' starts with a vowel sound, 'an' is the only correct choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unlisted" consists of the indefinite article 'an' and the adjective 'unlisted', which is the past participle of the verb 'unlist'. It functions primarily as an adjective phrase used to modify nouns by describing their absence from a specific list or registry. Ludwig examples show it most frequently modifying 'number', 'telephone', and 'video'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unlisted" is a standard and essential English phrase used to describe anything excluded from a public directory or registry. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its high frequency in reputable journalism and academic documentation. The most critical point to remember is the grammatical requirement to use 'an' due to the vowel sound of 'unlisted'. Whether you are referring to "an unlisted phone number" for privacy or "an unlisted security" in financial markets, this phrase is the correct and professional choice for indicating private status through exclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a non-listed

Directly replaces the adjective while using the 'a' determiner due to the consonant sound.

a private

Focuses on the intent of the exclusion rather than the act of not being listed.

an unpublished

More common in literary or academic contexts to describe data or work not yet shared.

an unregistered

Often used in legal or official contexts regarding entities not found in a registry.

a secret

Adds a stronger connotation of intentional concealment and confidentiality.

a hidden

Emphasizes the lack of visibility or accessibility to the public eye.

a confidential

Focuses on the protected status of the information rather than its listing status.

a restricted

Suggests that access is controlled, which is often why something remains unlisted.

an omitted

Suggests the item was left out of a list, sometimes implying a mistake or specific choice.

a withheld

Implies that information exists but is being intentionally kept from a public list.

FAQs

How do I use "an unlisted" in a sentence?

You can use it as an adjective phrase to modify a noun, such as: 'He decided to get "an unlisted number" to avoid spam calls' or 'The company posted "an unlisted video" on YouTube'.

What can I say instead of "an unlisted"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a private", "a non-listed", or "an unpublished".

Which is correct, "an unlisted" or "a unlisted"?

Only "an unlisted" is grammatically correct because 'unlisted' begins with a vowel sound. Using "a unlisted" is a common error that should be avoided in formal writing.

What's the difference between "an unlisted" and "a withheld" number?

"An unlisted" number is one that is not in a public directory, while "a withheld" number usually refers to a caller intentionally hiding their caller ID during a specific call.