have not been found

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have not been found" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that has not yet been discovered or located. Example: "Despite extensive searches, the missing documents have not been found."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The majority have not been found.

Independent

The two gunmen have not been found.

The New York Times

Their bodies have not been found.

Independent

Strong adsorption effects have not been found.

Electrochimica Acta

Three others have not been found.

The Guardian

Ayatollah Hakim's killers have not been found.

The New York Times

The bodies have not been found.

The New York Times

The boys' bodies have not been found.

The New York Times

The culprits have not been found.

The New York Times

The missing trailers have not been found.

The New York Times

The boys have not been found.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have not been found", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what items, people, or information "have not been found".

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice. While "have not been found" is grammatically correct, consider whether an active voice construction would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The solution has not been found", try "Researchers have not found the solution".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have not been found" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject has not been located or discovered by an actor, as suggested by Ludwig. It is used to express the absence or lack of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

36%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have not been found" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent expression used to indicate that something is missing or has not been discovered. According to Ludwig, this passive construction commonly appears in news, media, and scientific writing and maintains a neutral register. When utilizing "have not been found", clarity regarding the subject is crucial, and the choice between active and passive voice should be carefully considered for impact. While the phrase is appropriate, remember to consider more direct alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have not been located

A more formal and direct alternative to the original phrase. Slightly more formal than "have not been found".

remain unlocated

Replaces the passive voice construction with a more concise expression indicating the state of not being located.

are unaccounted for

Emphasizes the lack of an explanation for the whereabouts of something.

are still missing

Focuses on the ongoing state of being absent, rather than the action of not being found.

are yet to be discovered

Emphasizes the potential for future discovery, adding a sense of anticipation.

have eluded detection

Suggests an active avoidance of being found, often implying a deliberate effort to remain hidden.

are nowhere to be seen

Offers a more descriptive and visual way of expressing absence.

have not surfaced

Implies that something was expected to appear but has not.

have gone astray

Suggests that something was lost accidentally, rather than intentionally hidden.

are still at large

Specifically used for individuals who have escaped capture and remain free.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "have not been found" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "have not been located" or "remain unlocated". These options often suit professional or academic contexts.

What's a simpler way to say "have not been found"?

You can use simpler alternatives like "are still missing" or "are nowhere to be seen" for a more casual tone.

When is it appropriate to use "have not been found" in writing?

It is appropriate when discussing something that is missing or undiscovered. For instance, you might say, "The missing artifacts "have not been unearthed"" or "The cause of the illness "have not been understood"".

Is there a difference between "have not been found" and "haven't been found"?

"Have not been found" is the full form, while "haven't been found" is a contraction. The contraction is more informal but perfectly acceptable in most contexts.