find intact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "find intact" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to discovering something that remains whole or undamaged. Example: "After searching through the ruins, we were relieved to find intact artifacts that had survived the disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

We must find intact DNA of the species in question.

University of California, Berkeley

It's still possible researchers will find intact specimens in Mexico before channel catfish have hybridized them out of existence.

Yale University

They may get intact agent – in the first day or so you would still find intact sarin, for example.

The Guardian

They may get intact agent - in first day or so you would still find intact sarin, for example.

The Guardian

LETTER FROM KOREA: Those South Koreans who returned to Seoul were relieved to find intact, the city's celebrated bell It weights about 60 tons.

The New Yorker

By E. J. Kahn The New Yorker, May 5, 1951 P. 94 LETTER FROM KOREA: Those South Koreans who returned to Seoul were relieved to find intact, the city's celebrated bell It weights about 60 tons.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The flag miraculously was found intact.

The New York Times

Only 293 bodies were found intact.

Harvard University

Campaigners say they have been found intact after 33 years.

The Times

Archaeologists have found intact sandals in ancient shipwrecks.

The New York Times - Science

The site reveals much information because so many of the fossils were found intact.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "find intact", consider the context to ensure it clearly conveys the sense of discovering something undamaged and complete. It's particularly effective when describing archaeological discoveries, accident investigations, or situations where preservation is notable.

Common error

Avoid using "find intact" when you simply mean to find something. "Intact" specifically implies that the item was found in a complete, undamaged state. If the state of the object is irrelevant, just use "find".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "find intact" functions as a verb phrase where "find" is the main verb and "intact" is an adjective complementing it. This combination describes the act of discovering something in a complete and undamaged state. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "find intact" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the discovery of something undamaged and complete. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While not extremely common, it appears in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. When employing the phrase, be mindful of its specific meaning, ensuring that it accurately conveys the state of the discovered object. Alternatives such as "discover undamaged" or "locate unbroken" can be used for semantic variety. As Ludwig's examples show, the phrase is valuable in situations where the state of preservation is noteworthy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discover undamaged

Focuses on the state of being undamaged upon discovery.

locate unbroken

Highlights the absence of breaks or fractures when found.

uncover unharmed

Emphasizes that the object found suffered no harm.

detect whole

Focuses on finding something complete and not in parts.

come across complete

Indicates an accidental discovery of something whole.

stumble upon preserved

Implies a chance discovery of something maintained in its original condition.

observe untouched

Highlights that the item found remains in its original state, unmodified.

realize unscathed

Emphasizes recognition that no damage occurred.

turn up untouched

Describes the unexpected reappearance of something in an unaltered state.

encounter unimpaired

Highlights the lack of impairment or reduction in functionality upon finding.

FAQs

How can I use "find intact" in a sentence?

You can use "find intact" to describe discovering something whole and undamaged, as in "Archaeologists hoped to find intact pottery shards at the excavation site."

What does "intact" mean when combined with "find"?

When used with "find", "intact" specifies that what was discovered is complete, undamaged, and in its original condition. For example, "They were relieved to find intact documents after the fire."

What are some alternatives to "find intact"?

You could use alternatives like "discover undamaged", "locate unbroken", or "uncover unharmed" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "find intact"?

While the act of finding implies something exists in some state, specifying "intact" emphasizes that the item was found whole and undamaged, which is not always the case. The phrase is not necessarily redundant but adds clarity.