are not extant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not extant" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in academic or formal contexts to indicate that something does not currently exist or is not available. Example: "Many of the original manuscripts from that period are not extant, making it difficult for historians to verify the events."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

His logical works are not extant.

Encyclopedia Britannica

No doubt other volumes existed which are not extant.

Cornell University

The letters are not extant, but nevertheless it behooves me to quote from one that I may perhaps have perused.

The New Yorker

Syntheses of these Cd and Ba compositions are not extant and may not be possible given the limited solubility of metals in MgB2.

Computational Materials Science

She pieces together what is known, or can be deduced, about Regilla's life and death — with few exceptions, she notes, "the words of women in antiquity are not extant" — and provides an absorbing analysis of justice, society, culture, and customs in the second-century Roman Empire.

The New Yorker

All three biosorbents' n rates are lower than 1, or rather, highly energetic sites are not extant.

Applied Water Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The draft contract is not extant.

Princeton University

The original steps were not extant, so he created new ones.

The New Yorker

Sotheby's report, which was thorough, noted that the sides were "not extant".

The New York Times - Arts

The original code is not extant, but its content has been largely preserved in the Yōrō code (718).

Britannica

Plutarch's biographies of Alexander the Great and Caesar are also notable, though his comparison of the two is not extant.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity in general writing, consider using simpler alternatives to "are not extant", such as "do not exist" or "are not available". Reserve "are not extant" for academic or historical contexts where its formality is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "are not extant" in everyday conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound unnatural or pretentious in casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not extant" functions as a predicate adjective, indicating the state of non-existence or unavailability of a subject. Ludwig examples show it commonly describes documents, records, or other historical items.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

27%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

13%

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are not extant" is a grammatically sound and relatively formal expression signifying that something no longer exists or is not currently available. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is best suited for academic, historical, or scientific contexts. While alternatives like "do not exist" or "are not available" offer simpler and more widely applicable options, "are not extant" lends a tone of scholarly precision to writing. Therefore, reserve this phrase for situations where its formality aligns with the overall tone and audience of the text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do not exist

Uses a more common and straightforward vocabulary.

no longer exist

Implies a previous existence that has ceased.

are not available

Focuses on the lack of accessibility rather than existence.

cannot be found

Highlights the inability to locate something.

have been lost

Suggests that something was once present but is now missing.

are missing

Simply states the absence of something.

are nonexistent

Uses a more emphatic term to indicate the lack of existence.

are not preserved

Emphasizes the lack of conservation over time.

are unobtainable

Focuses on the difficulty or impossibility of acquiring something.

have vanished

Indicates a complete disappearance.

FAQs

What does "are not extant" mean?

The phrase "are not extant" means that something no longer exists or is not currently available. It's often used in academic or formal contexts to describe historical documents or artifacts.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "are not extant"?

Use "are not extant" in formal writing, particularly when discussing historical texts, records, or artifacts. Simpler alternatives like "do not exist" or "are not available" are suitable for more general contexts.

What are some alternatives to "are not extant"?

Some alternatives include "do not exist", "are not available", "cannot be found", or "have been lost". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is "are not extant" grammatically correct?

Yes, "are not extant" is grammatically correct. However, it's a formal phrase and might not be appropriate for all writing situations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.