cannot find

USAGE SUMMARY

"cannot find" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to convey the inability to locate or obtain something. Example: "I searched through my room, but I cannot find my keys anywhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We cannot find truth".

Independent

Peace I cannot find.

The New York Times - Arts

I cannot find work.

The Guardian

"I cannot find your name".

The New Yorker

"I cannot find my way.

The New York Times

They cannot find their daughter.

The Guardian - Books

I cannot find the street.

The New York Times

"I simply cannot find them".

The New York Times

Young men cannot find work.

The New York Times

My customers cannot find me.

The New York Times

But she cannot find one".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the subject you are trying to find is clearly defined. For example, instead of saying "I "cannot find"", be specific: "I "cannot find" my keys".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "cannot find" when a more direct, active voice would be more impactful. For example, instead of "The error "cannot find"", consider "The system does not recognize the error".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot find" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an inability to locate or discover something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely applicable. Examples range from everyday situations to formal reports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot find" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression for indicating the inability to locate something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its widespread application across various contexts—from News & Media to Academic writing—underscores its versatility. While generally neutral in register, formal alternatives like "unable to locate" might be preferable in certain professional settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in defining what you are trying to find, and consider whether a more direct, active voice might enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

haven't been able to find

Adds a temporal aspect, indicating the search is ongoing.

unable to locate

Formal alternative, emphasizes the lack of ability to find something.

can't seem to find

Expresses a sense of confusion or frustration about the inability to find something.

nowhere to be found

Emphasizes the complete absence of something.

failed to discover

Implies an attempt was made, but it was unsuccessful.

have not been able to track down

Similar to 'haven't been able to find' but with a sense of pursuit.

could not detect

Suitable when referring to things that are difficult to perceive or measure.

not able to unearth

Highlights the effort to search meticulously and comprehensively.

unable to turn up

A more colloquial expression indicating a fruitless search.

missed finding

Expresses the idea of unintentionally not finding something.

FAQs

How do I use "cannot find" in a sentence?

You can use "cannot find" to express an inability to locate something. For example, "I "cannot find" my glasses anywhere" or "The system "cannot find" the specified file".

What's a more formal alternative to "cannot find"?

Alternatives such as "unable to locate" or "failed to discover" can be used in more formal contexts.

Is it correct to say "can't find" instead of "cannot find"?

Yes, "can't find" is a contraction of "cannot find" and is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts.

What's the difference between "cannot find" and "could not find"?

"Cannot find" typically refers to a present inability, while "could not find" implies an inability in the past. For example, "I "cannot find" my wallet now", versus "I looked everywhere but I "could not find" it yesterday".