could go unnoticed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could go unnoticed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that may not be observed or recognized by others. Example: "The subtle changes in her behavior could go unnoticed by those who are not paying attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

The musical, technical feats could go unnoticed again in the aura of humanistic warmth.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet, beyond the first inspections, it is unthinkable that this kind of mistake could go unnoticed for 18 months.

University of California, Berkeley

Depression, for example, could go unnoticed by a teacher who may be searching for more obvious signs of disturbance.

The Guardian

In addition, two more parsimonious models were also used to apprehend any effect that could go unnoticed in the full model.

Nature

Rich, fat, abloom in honey, baked apple and pear flavors, it has a noticeably lovely viscosity and underlying complexities so subtle they could go unnoticed.

The New York Times

Aamer Anwar, a lawyer for Mahmood's family, said on Sunday they were "incredulous" that the contact could go unnoticed by Scotland Yard and other counter-terror agencies.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Follow Tess Barker on TwItter.

Vice

The 150th anniversary of van Gogh's birth on March 30 could hardly go unnoticed here.

The New York Times - Arts

In a city with a thousand dining distractions, it could easily go unnoticed.

The New York Times - Food

Israeli officials said the movement of the Fajr-5 rockets through Egypt could not go unnoticed there, given their size.

The New York Times

For a restaurant, the location is unexpected and unusual, and unless one were looking, the place could easily go unnoticed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about potential risks or subtle issues, use "could go unnoticed" to emphasize the need for vigilance and attention to detail. This highlights the possibility that something important might be missed if not actively looked for.

Common error

Avoid using "could go unnoticed" in contexts where the lack of detection is highly improbable or irrelevant. Overusing it in such situations can dilute its impact and make your writing seem alarmist or exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could go unnoticed" functions as a modal phrase expressing a possibility or potential. It indicates that something has the ability or likelihood of not being observed or detected. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing subtle changes or hidden issues.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

48%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could go unnoticed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used modal phrase that expresses the possibility of something not being detected or observed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. The phrase serves as a cautionary note, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and thoroughness to avoid overlooking potential issues. Alternatives like "might be missed" or "may be overlooked" offer similar nuances. Using "could go unnoticed" effectively involves being mindful of the context and avoiding overuse in situations where the lack of detection is highly improbable. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and relevance in conveying potential oversights.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be missed

Replaces "go unnoticed" with "be missed", emphasizing the potential for something to be overlooked.

may be overlooked

Substitutes "could" with "may" and "go unnoticed" with "be overlooked", indicating a possibility of being disregarded.

can escape detection

Replaces "go unnoticed" with "escape detection", highlighting the act of avoiding being found.

might evade observation

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey the idea of avoiding being seen or noted.

could slip by undetected

Emphasizes the surreptitious nature of something remaining unnoticed.

may pass unobserved

Replaces "go unnoticed" with "pass unobserved", indicating that something happens without being seen.

can remain unseen

Focuses on the state of not being visible or noticed.

might not be detected

Uses a passive construction to emphasize that something is not found or noticed.

may fail to register

Suggests that something does not make an impression or become consciously noted.

can be disregarded

Highlights the potential for something to be intentionally ignored or overlooked.

FAQs

How can I use "could go unnoticed" in a sentence?

Use "could go unnoticed" to indicate a possibility that something might not be observed or detected. For example, "The subtle changes in the data "could go unnoticed" if not carefully analyzed."

What are some alternatives to saying "could go unnoticed"?

You can use alternatives such as "might be missed", "may be overlooked", or "can escape detection" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "could go unnoticed"?

Yes, "could go unnoticed" is grammatically correct. It uses the modal verb "could" to express a possibility, followed by the verb "go" and the adjective "unnoticed" to describe the state of not being observed.

What's the difference between "could go unnoticed" and "might be ignored"?

"Could go unnoticed" suggests a lack of observation, while "might be ignored" implies a conscious decision to disregard something. The former focuses on detection, while the latter focuses on attention.