go undetected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "go undetected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not noticed or discovered. For example: The thief managed to steal the valuable necklace and go undetected.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Some will go undetected.

The New York Times - Sports

Online, such obvious skullduggery would go undetected.

The Economist

Even Giuliani acknowledged that such a scam might go undetected.

The New York Times - Sports

"We've seen what happens when terrorists go undetected," he said.

The New York Times

This means possible threats to our homeland could go undetected".

The Guardian - Opinion

But many if not most cases probably go undetected.

The New York Times - Science

When those values were chosen as the fake value, the data alteration would likely go undetected.

Integration, the VLSI Journal

Without such knowledge, small defects may be incorrectly imaged or go undetected altogether.

Ultrasonics

Similarly, complacency with repetition may produce breaks in sterility that may occasionally go undetected.

Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery

A second drawback is that infections that are not treated with antibiotics will go undetected.

Annals of Intensive Care

Failure or anomaly's behaviour which is not checked for by the monitoring scripts will go undetected.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about something that could have been detected but wasn't, using "go undetected" adds emphasis to the failure of detection mechanisms or processes.

Common error

Avoid using "go undetected" when the intention is to convey that something was simply not found, rather than specifically not noticed despite opportunities for detection. Use other phrases like "was not found" if there wasn't any expectation of it being detected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go undetected" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something is not noticed or discovered. Ludwig AI provides examples where it describes errors, threats, or conditions that are not identified, emphasizing a lack of detection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "go undetected" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes a state of not being noticed or discovered. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's commonly found in both scientific and news contexts, indicating its versatility. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a failure in detection rather than simply a lack of discovery. Alternatives like "remain unnoticed" or "escape notice" can provide subtle variations in meaning, depending on the intended emphasis. This phrase is suitable for various writing styles, maintaining a neutral register that is neither overly formal nor informal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go unnoticed

Is a more direct synonym, focusing on the absence of being noticed.

remain unnoticed

Focuses on the state of not being noticed, emphasizing the lack of attention received.

evade detection

Highlights the action of avoiding being detected, suggesting a deliberate effort.

avoid detection

Similar to "evade detection" but can imply a broader range of actions to prevent being found.

pass unnoticed

Emphasizes the act of moving by without being observed.

escape notice

Indicates a situation where something avoids being noticed, often implying luck or chance.

not be discovered

Focuses on the lack of discovery, emphasizing that something remains unknown.

remain concealed

Focuses on the continuous state of being hidden or kept secret.

stay hidden

Highlights the state of being concealed or out of sight.

slip through the cracks

Suggests something is missed due to oversights or system failures.

FAQs

How can I use "go undetected" in a sentence?

You can use "go undetected" to describe situations where something is not noticed or discovered. For instance, "The flaw in the security system allowed the intrusion to "go undetected" for weeks."

What are some alternatives to "go undetected"?

Some alternatives include "remain unnoticed", "escape notice", or "pass unnoticed". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when something "goes undetected"?

When something "goes undetected", it means it is not noticed, discovered, or identified. This often implies a failure in a system or process designed to detect such things.

Is it better to say "go undetected" or "goes undetected"?

The correct form depends on the subject of your sentence. Use "go undetected" for plural subjects (e.g., "errors go undetected"), and "goes undetected" for singular subjects (e.g., "the error goes undetected").