have not found

USAGE SUMMARY

"have not found" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about something you have been searching for and haven't been able to locate. Example: I have been looking for my car keys for hours, but I have not found them yet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We still have not found my brother.

The New York Times

I have not found a balance yet".

The New York Times

They have not found hot springs.

The New York Times

I have not found it to be a comfortable experience.

The Guardian

I have not found any difficulties being a woman.

The Guardian

We have not found a conflict of interest".

The New York Times

I have not found it like that at all.

The Guardian

American military forces have not found any buried mobile labs.

The New York Times

"But we have not found our ultimate speed.

The New York Times

"They have not found lakes or rivers flowing on Mars.

The New York Times

But we just have not found that yet".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have not found", ensure the tense is consistent with the rest of the sentence. For example, "Although I have searched extensively, I have not found any evidence."

Common error

Avoid switching tenses mid-sentence when using "have not found". For example, instead of saying "I have not found it yet, but I will keep looking", say "I have not found it yet, but I will keep looking."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have not found" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence. It typically indicates a lack of discovery or location after a period of searching or investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

55%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Have not found" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the absence of something after a search or investigation. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, with examples from various authoritative sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and scientific journals. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, with the most frequent occurrences in scientific and news-related content. While alternatives like "haven't located" or "have been unable to find" exist, "have not found" remains a common and versatile choice for conveying a lack of discovery or location.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

haven't located

A more concise contraction is used, suitable for informal contexts.

have been unable to find

Emphasizes the inability and effort exerted in the search.

have not discovered

Focuses on the lack of discovery rather than just location.

have failed to find

Highlights the unsuccessful outcome of the search.

have not detected

Implies a search using specific tools or methods to detect something.

have not identified

Focuses on the lack of identification, potentially of something already located.

have yet to find

Indicates that the search is ongoing, with an expectation of finding something in the future.

remain unable to locate

Suggests a persistent inability to find something over a period.

the search has been fruitless

Describes the outcome of the search as unproductive.

have come up empty

An idiomatic expression indicating an unsuccessful search.

FAQs

How can I use "have not found" in a sentence?

You can use "have not found" to indicate that you have been searching for something but have not yet located it. For example, "I have been looking for my keys all day, but I "have not found" them yet."

What are some alternatives to "have not found"?

Some alternatives to "have not found" include "haven't located", "have been unable to find", and "have not discovered". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "haven't found" instead of "have not found"?

Yes, "haven't found" is a common contraction of "have not found" and is perfectly acceptable in most contexts, especially informal ones. Both phrases are grammatically correct.

What is the difference between "have not found" and "did not find"?

"Have not found" implies a search process that is still ongoing or has recently concluded without success. "Did not find" suggests a completed action in the past with a negative result.