cannot be found

USAGE SUMMARY

"cannot be found" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean something that is not able to be located or discovered. For example, "The missing key to the locked cabinet cannot be found."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I cannot be found out".

Independent

There is Alfie, whose parents cannot be found.

The New York Times

"Common ground cannot be found by destroying the common good".

The New York Times

It cannot be found in most other professions.

The New York Times - Science

But that authority, of course, cannot be found..

The Guardian - Books

It cannot be found, it has to emerge.

The Guardian

Buyers of bonds cannot be found at any price.

The Economist

She cannot be found in the databases of Mexican newspapers.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, 2 cannot be found anywhere in the table.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There is a calm in gardening which cannot be found anywhere else.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"This music cannot be found compiled anywhere else except on the Web.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be found", ensure the subject you're referring to has been clearly introduced, avoiding ambiguity. For instance, specify which item or information is missing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "cannot be found" in passive constructions, as it can make your writing sound weak. Instead, consider active alternatives to strengthen your message. For example, instead of "The error cannot be found", try "I cannot find the error".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be found" primarily functions as a passive construction indicating the inability to locate or discover something. As Ludwig AI notes, it's a grammatically correct phrase used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

25%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be found" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase widely used to indicate that something is unlocatable or undiscoverable. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and broad applicability make it suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports and scientific articles to general discussions. While the phrase is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Science, it's essential to avoid overuse in passive constructions to maintain strong and clear writing. Considering alternatives such as "is not discoverable" or "remains elusive" can enhance the expressiveness of your writing, ensuring that your message is conveyed effectively and without ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not discoverable

Replaces "cannot be found" with a synonym emphasizing the inability to discover something.

is not locatable

Substitutes "found" with "locatable", focusing on the impossibility of determining the location of something.

is nowhere to be seen

Emphasizes the absence of something, indicating it cannot be found by visual inspection.

is unrecoverable

Suggests that something is impossible to retrieve or get back, similar to not being found.

remains elusive

Implies that something is difficult to catch or find, often because it is cleverly hidden or avoids pursuit.

is undetectable

Focuses on the inability to detect something, meaning it cannot be found through any means of detection.

is unattainable

Implies that something is impossible to reach or achieve, akin to not being able to find it.

is not traceable

Focuses on the inability to follow or track something, similar to not being able to find it's path.

has vanished

Replaces "cannot be found" with a more dramatic term suggesting something has disappeared completely.

is out of reach

Suggests something is not accessible or attainable, similar to not being found.

FAQs

What does "cannot be found" mean?

The phrase "cannot be found" means something is not able to be located or discovered. It indicates an inability to find a specific item, piece of information, or person.

What can I say instead of "cannot be found"?

You can use alternatives like "is not discoverable", "is nowhere to be seen", or "remains elusive" depending on the context.

How to use "cannot be found" in a sentence?

You can use "cannot be found" to describe something missing, for instance, "The correct file cannot be found on the server" or "The missing person cannot be found after extensive searches".

Is "cannot be found" formal or informal?

"Cannot be found" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality often depends on the surrounding language and the setting.