are not used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not used" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not utilized or employed in a particular context. Example: "These tools are not used in the standard procedure for this experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Footnotes are not used.

Nature

Adults are not used to that.

The New York Times

SPANIARDS are not used to housing busts.

The Economist

"People are not used to such films".

The New York Times

"They are not used to running things".

The New York Times

We are not used to them".

The New Yorker

The eigenvectors are not used.

Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics

"The fans are not used to this.

The New York Times - Sports

(The funds are not used for abortion).

The Guardian

The Mets are not used to relaxing.

The New York Times - Sports

Their spectators are not used to losing.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider replacing "used" with alternatives like "utilized" or "employed" to add a layer of sophistication to your language.

Common error

Ensure the context clearly identifies what is doing the using or not using. Without context, the sentence can be unclear. For instance, instead of "These features are not used", specify "These features are not used by most users".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not used" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject is not the one performing the action of using, but rather something is being done to it (or, in this case, not being done). This is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are not used" is a grammatically correct and frequently employed expression in English, indicating that something is not being utilized. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase appearing across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and business publications. While alternatives like "are not utilized" or "are not employed" exist for more formal settings, "are not used" maintains its relevance due to its simplicity and widespread understanding. Remember to ensure the context clearly specifies what or who is not using something to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are not utilized

Replaces "used" with "utilized", offering a slightly more formal tone.

are not employed

Substitutes "used" with "employed", suggesting a more deliberate or structured lack of use.

are not in use

Changes the verb to a prepositional phrase, focusing on the current state of non-usage.

are not being used

Emphasizes the ongoing state of non-usage, adding a continuous aspect.

remain unused

Highlights the persistence of the non-usage state.

are not applicable

Indicates that something is not relevant or suitable for a particular purpose.

are not required

Suggests that something is unnecessary or not mandatory.

are not needed

Implies that something is not essential or necessary.

are not implemented

Focuses on the lack of implementation or application.

are not adopted

Highlights the lack of adoption or acceptance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are not used" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "are not utilized" or "are not employed". These options often suit professional or academic writing better.

What's the difference between "are not used" and "are not being used"?

"Are not used" generally refers to a habitual or general state of non-use, while "are not being used" emphasizes a current or ongoing state. For example, "These tools are not used in this process" vs "These tools are not being used due to the system malfunction".

Is "are not used" grammatically correct?

Yes, "are not used" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of the passive voice in English, indicating that something is not being utilized or employed.

What are some situations where "are not used" is appropriate?

"Are not used" is appropriate in many contexts, such as describing features of a product that "are not required", methods that "are not implemented", or resources that "remain unused".