did not notice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not notice" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone failed to observe or become aware of something. Example: "I walked right past the new store and did not notice the grand opening sign."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Did not notice.

The New York Times

He did not notice.

The New Yorker

"We did not notice".

The New York Times - Sports

But she did not notice.

The New York Times

Williams said he did not notice.

The New York Times - Sports

Bolt said later he did not notice.

The New York Times - Sports

The witness did not notice that.

Yale University

If it was, he did not notice.

The Guardian

But that team did not notice Gonzalez.

The Washington Post

Ms. Monroe did not notice Mr. Jantzen.

The New York Times

Murray did not notice the clock.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not notice", ensure the context clearly indicates what was missed and why it is relevant. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

In formal or academic writing, avoid overuse of "did not notice". Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "failed to observe" or "overlooked" to enhance the tone and sophistication of your prose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not notice" functions as a verb phrase expressing a lack of awareness or perception. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. It indicates that a subject failed to observe something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

25%

Sports

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not notice" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a lack of awareness or perception. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability. While suitable for various contexts, more formal alternatives like "failed to observe" may be preferred in certain writing styles. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Science and Sports, the phrase serves to explain oversights or a lack of awareness in a given situation. Authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to observe

Emphasizes the failure to actively watch or monitor something.

was unaware of

Highlights a state of lacking knowledge or consciousness about something.

overlooked

Suggests missing something, often unintentionally, due to inattention.

missed seeing

Specifically focuses on the failure to visually perceive something.

didn't realize

Indicates a lack of understanding or comprehension at the time.

was oblivious to

Implies a complete lack of awareness, often suggesting a lack of importance attributed to the missed thing.

paid no attention to

Highlights a deliberate lack of focus or interest in something.

was blind to

Suggests a figurative inability to see or understand, possibly due to bias or emotional factors.

remained ignorant of

Emphasizes the ongoing state of not knowing or being informed about something.

failed to spot

Highlights the failure to visually identify something, often implying it was difficult to see.

FAQs

What does "did not notice" mean?

The phrase "did not notice" means someone was unaware of something or failed to observe it. It indicates a lack of perception or attention.

What can I say instead of "did not notice"?

You can use alternatives like "failed to observe", "overlooked", or "was unaware of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "did not notice" in a sentence?

Use "did not notice" to indicate that a person or entity was not aware of or did not perceive something. For example: "He did not notice the car approaching."

Is "didn't notice" the same as "did not notice"?

Yes, "didn't notice" is a contraction of "did not notice" and carries the same meaning. The choice between them depends on the formality of the context; "did not notice" is generally more formal.