cannot be found out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be found out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is impossible to discover or learn about. Example: "The secret to his success cannot be found out easily, as he keeps his methods closely guarded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I cannot be found out".

Independent

Now open Command window by typing "cmd" on the run bar Now type "attrib +s +h I: \Arc" For protecting it and hiding it.No one will know that a file exist in it.Even using the window hide options it cannot be found out unless he is a good expert in this field.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Kautilya, a statesman and scholar in ancient India, thought it impossible to tell, "just as fish moving under water cannot possibly be found out either as drinking or not drinking water".This would not satisfy Paul Wolfowitz, the World Bank's president, who is determined to fight corruption in borrowing countries.

The Economist

Some veterans who might have carried them out cannot be found.

The New York Times

And many cannot be found in their city during weekends because they are out enjoying the mountains".

Science Magazine

They are out of print, and while they remain under copyright, the rights holders are unknown or cannot be found.

The New York Times - Tech

Otherwise, CRB cannot be found.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

"Ascertainability" is where a beneficiary cannot be found, while "administrative unworkability" is where the nature of the trust is such that it cannot realistically carried out.

Wikipedia

Ascertainability is where a beneficiary cannot be found, and administrative unworkability arises when the nature of the trust is such that it cannot realistically be carried out.

Wikipedia

The animal cannot be found.

BMC Public Health

"If women know that they cannot be fired because they found out that they are being paid less than their male counterparts, that is really important," Jackson said.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be found out" when you want to express that something is impossible or extremely difficult to discover, often implying a deliberate attempt to conceal it. For example: "The truth about the experiment cannot be found out easily because of the sealed records."

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be found out" when a simpler, more direct active voice construction would be clearer. For example, instead of "The answer cannot be found out by anyone", consider "No one can discover the answer".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be found out" functions as a passive construction expressing impossibility of discovery. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically sound and conveys a sense of something being impossible or very difficult to reveal.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be found out" is a grammatically sound, though relatively rare, construction used to emphasize the impossibility or extreme difficulty of discovering something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English and suitable across various contexts like news, wikis, and scientific writing. Alternatives such as "cannot be discovered" and "cannot be detected" offer similar meanings. When using the phrase, be mindful of the passive voice and consider if an active construction might offer more clarity. Overall, "cannot be found out" serves as an effective way to highlight the hidden or inaccessible nature of a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be discovered

Focuses on the act of uncovering something rather than the possibility of being revealed.

cannot be detected

Emphasizes the inability to perceive something, often through technical means.

cannot be unearthed

Implies a more deliberate and difficult search to uncover something.

cannot be ascertained

Highlights the impossibility of confirming something with certainty.

cannot be determined

Focuses on the lack of means to establish or conclude something.

cannot be located

Refers specifically to the physical inability to find something or someone.

cannot be traced

Suggests the inability to follow a path or track something back to its origin.

cannot be identified

Emphasizes the lack of ability to recognize or name something.

remains undiscovered

Highlights the continuing state of not being found or known.

eludes detection

Suggests an active avoidance of being found or noticed.

FAQs

What does "cannot be found out" mean?

The phrase "cannot be found out" means something is impossible or extremely difficult to discover or learn. It suggests a situation where the truth or specific information is concealed or unobtainable through ordinary means.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be found out"?

Use "cannot be found out" when you want to emphasize the impossibility or extreme difficulty of discovering something. It's suitable when there's an implication of secrecy or deliberate concealment. For instance, "The formula for the potion "cannot be found out", because it's protected by a complex series of enchantments."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be found out"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be discovered", "cannot be detected", or "cannot be ascertained" depending on the context.

Is "cannot be found out" grammatically correct?

Yes, "cannot be found out" is grammatically correct. It's a passive construction indicating that the subject is not able to be discovered or learned about. While correct, it's worth considering whether an active voice construction might be clearer or more direct.