did not detect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not detect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something was not found or identified, often in contexts related to technology, science, or observation. Example: "The software did not detect any errors in the code during the initial scan."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some companies did not detect her face.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I just did not detect anything".

The New York Times

Electrocardiography did not detect ischemic changes.

Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia

Also, we did not detect Na compounds in the coating.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The crew did not detect any surface or subsurface contacts.

The Guardian

But he also did not detect any signs of panic.

Independent

"Visually, we did not detect any impact.

Science Magazine

CT did not detect any distant metastasis.

Surgical Case Reports

Peritoneal lavage cytology did not detect any adenocarcinoma cells.

Surgical Case Reports

Moreover, we did not detect significant effects on coatomer function.

Protein & Cell

The HPLC analysis did not detect any chemical impurities.

EJNMMI Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not detect", ensure the context clearly specifies what was expected to be detected and why its absence is significant.

Common error

Avoid using "did not detect" excessively in passive constructions where the agent performing the detection is unclear or unimportant. Instead, focus on active voice for more direct and impactful writing. For example, prefer "The researchers did not detect any changes" over "No changes were detected".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not detect" functions as a verb phrase expressing negation of detection. It is commonly used to report the absence of a finding or observation, as evidenced by examples provided by Ludwig. Ludwig AI also confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

79%

News & Media

16%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not detect" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that indicates the absence of a finding or observation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It is most commonly found in scientific and news-related contexts, expressing that something expected or searched for was not found. While alternatives like "failed to detect" or "could not detect" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When employing this phrase, be mindful of maintaining clarity regarding what was not detected and why its absence holds significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to detect

Replaces "did not" with "failed to", suggesting an unsuccessful attempt at detection.

could not detect

Indicates an inability to detect, possibly due to limitations in the detection method or equipment.

did not identify

Focuses on the lack of identification, rather than the general act of detection.

did not find

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the lack of detection.

observed no evidence of

More formal and scientific, emphasizing the lack of observable evidence.

revealed no signs of

Suggests that there were no indicators or clues that could be detected.

showed no indication of

Similar to "revealed no signs of", but with a slightly different emphasis.

was unable to locate

Emphasizes the inability to pinpoint or find the specific item or entity.

remained undetected

Shifts the focus to the object not being detected, rather than the action of detecting.

was not apparent

Indicates that something was not easily noticed or understood.

FAQs

What are some alternative ways to say "did not detect"?

You can use alternatives like "failed to detect", "could not detect", or "did not identify" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "did not detect" in a sentence?

Use "did not detect" to indicate that something was not found or identified through observation or analysis. For example, "The sensors did not detect any unusual activity" or "The analysis did not detect any anomalies".

Is it better to use "did not detect" or "failed to detect"?

Both "did not detect" and "failed to detect" are correct, but "failed to detect" might imply a stronger expectation of detection or a more significant consequence of the failure.

What's the difference between "did not detect" and "did not find"?

"Did not detect" implies a more formal or technical process of searching or analysis, while "did not find" is a simpler and more general way of saying something was not located. The best choice depends on the context.