be untouched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be untouched" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that remains in its original state or has not been affected or altered by external factors. Example: "The ancient ruins have been preserved for centuries, allowing them to be untouched by modern development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Viewed from the front, the building appeared to be untouched.

The New Yorker

Almost no-one will be untouched by this.

The Guardian

There is no area that is going to be untouched".

The New York Times

Radio 4, which carries serious news programmes, will be untouched.

The Economist

It is also not clear whether these documents must be untouched or could be heavily redacted.

The Economist

Because "nobody on this planet is going to be untouched by the impacts of climate change".

The New Yorker

"Nobody on this planet is going to be untouched by the impacts of climate change".

The Guardian

Unlike Tottenham, Brixton's cultural appeal appears to be untouched by the recent disorders.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Shias have told us that shrine must be untouched," he said.

The New York Times

The flexibility of judges to impose harsher sentences would be untouched.

The New York Times

That does not mean that Medicare will be untouched under the Democrats' plans.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be untouched" when you want to emphasize that something has not been altered, influenced, or damaged in any way. This can be particularly effective when discussing preservation, integrity, or original states.

Common error

Avoid using "be untouched" in active voice constructions. The phrase is inherently passive, so using it actively can create grammatically incorrect sentences. For example, instead of "The company untouched the funds", say "The funds were untouched by the company".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be untouched" functions primarily as a passive construction, typically used to describe a state of remaining in an original or unaltered condition. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates that something has not been affected or influenced by external forces.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be untouched" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that signifies something remains in its original, unaltered state. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and utility across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, it effectively conveys the concepts of preservation, integrity, and originality. While generally neutral to formal in register, it’s essential to use it in passive voice constructions to avoid grammatical errors. Alternatives like remain unaffected or stay pristine offer similar meanings, each with nuanced implications. Overall, "be untouched" serves as a potent way to emphasize the absence of change or influence on a given subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain unaffected

Focuses on the state of not being influenced or changed.

stay pristine

Emphasizes the maintenance of an original, pure condition.

go unscathed

Highlights the avoidance of harm or damage.

be preserved

Stresses the act of maintaining something in its original condition over time.

remain intact

Indicates that something is whole and not damaged.

escape modification

Emphasizes the avoidance of alteration or change.

withstand impact

Highlights the ability to endure pressure without being altered.

evade alteration

Focuses on avoiding any form of change or modification.

persist unchanged

Indicates a continuation in the same state without any change.

hold firm

Implies maintaining a stable condition without yielding to external forces.

FAQs

How can I use "be untouched" in a sentence?

You can use "be untouched" to describe something that remains in its original state or has not been affected or altered by external factors. For instance, "The ancient ruins have been preserved for centuries, allowing them to "be untouched" by modern development".

What's a formal alternative to "be untouched"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "remain unaffected" or "stay pristine" to convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

Is it correct to say "remained untouched" or "was untouched"?

Both "remained untouched" and "was untouched" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different nuances. "Remained untouched" implies a continued state of being untouched, while "was untouched" simply indicates that it was in an untouched state at a specific point in time.

What does it mean when something is described as "untouched"?

When something is described as "untouched", it means that it has not been physically handled, altered, or influenced in any way, retaining its original condition or state. The phrase often emphasizes preservation or the absence of interference.