Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

data were not available

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "data were not available" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that specific information or statistics could not be accessed or obtained at a given time. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the data were not available for the analysis we intended to conduct."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Comparable 2006 data were not available.

News & Media

The New York Times

Data were not available for Sleepy Hollow (Tarrytown) and Ossining.

News & Media

The New York Times

na: indicates data were not available.

For shallow aquifer, the Sy data were not available.

These data were not available for the previous study.

Another author reported that the requested data were not available.

Unfortunately, these data were not available from the DPC database.

SWC data were not available in some sites.

These data were not available for ECR 2000.

Data were not available specifically for the Kassena-Nankana municipality.

Reliability data were not available.

Science

Plosone
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting that "data were not available", specify the time period or context to which this unavailability applies. For example, instead of simply stating "data were not available", say "data for the year 2022 were not available".

Common error

Do not use "data were not available" without clarifying why the data was unavailable. Provide context, such as "data were not collected" or "data were lost due to a system error" to offer more transparency and avoid ambiguity.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "data were not available" functions as a statement indicating the absence of specific information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct way to report that data could not be accessed or obtained. This phrase often serves as a placeholder or explanation for gaps in analysis or reporting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

79%

News & Media

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "data were not available" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to indicate that certain information is missing or inaccessible. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts, it serves to inform audiences about limitations in research or reporting. While generally neutral, formality can shift based on the context. When using this phrase, provide specific details about why the data was unavailable to maintain clarity and transparency.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "data were not available" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use alternatives like "information was lacking", "statistics were unavailable", or "the dataset was incomplete", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "data was not available"?

While "data" is technically plural, it's often used as a mass noun, so "data was not available" is commonly accepted, especially in informal contexts. However, "data were not available" is grammatically more accurate.

What's the difference between "data were not available" and "data could not be retrieved"?

"Data were not available" simply states the data is absent. "Data could not be retrieved" implies an attempt was made to access the data, but it failed, suggesting a technical issue or access problem.

What are some other ways to indicate missing data in a report?

Instead of "data were not available", you could use phrases like "no data was provided", "results were absent", or indicate missing values with abbreviations such as 'N/A' (not applicable) or 'NR' (not reported) in tables and charts.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: