if it cannot be located

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if it cannot be located" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the inability to find something, whether it be a physical object, information, or data. Example: "Please let me know what to do if it cannot be located in the database."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

(ii) If a relative who is not in detention cannot be located to sponsor the minor, the minor may be released with an accompanying relative who is in detention.

Cornell University

If your iPhone cannot be located because it is turned off or out of network, check the "Notify me when found" box.

WikiHow

If diagnosis cannot be located use diagnosis search.

WikiHow

"If the parents cannot be located, we will take protective custody of them tonight," Mr. Delmar said.

The New York Times

If the client cannot be located, information about the client may be obtained from family members, case worker, parole or probation officers, or other persons (provided the client had given written permission to make such contacts).

BMC Public Health

If your spouse cannot be located, seek the assistance of an attorney.

WikiHow

If specific visual examples cannot be located, students may create examples they would want to see in an art exhibit about their assigned person.

The New York Times

If a resident student cannot be located within 24 hours or the circumstances require a police investigation, the Office of Public Safety will notify the local police precinct and assist the NYPD as requested.

Columbia University

If a tack cloth cannot be located in stores, make one by dampening a good quality cheesecloth in mineral spirits.

Los Angeles Times

If the birth certificate cannot be located, you will receive a Certificate of Failure to Find.

WikiHow

If a local dealership cannot be located, contact the car manufacturer that produced the hearse and request information about maintenance options for the hearse.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "if it cannot be located", ensure that the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject early in the sentence or preceding sentences.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice when using "if it cannot be located". Try to rephrase the sentence to use active voice where possible, as it often leads to clearer and more concise writing. For example, instead of "If the file cannot be located by the system", consider "If the system cannot locate the file".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if it cannot be located" functions as a conditional clause, setting up a condition that, if true, will lead to a specific outcome. It commonly introduces scenarios where something is missing or untraceable. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Academia

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Wiki

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "if it cannot be located" is a grammatically sound conditional clause used to express scenarios where something is untraceable or missing. While no exact examples are available, Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It serves to introduce a contingency, preparing the audience for an alternative action or outcome. Its neutral formality makes it suitable for a broad range of contexts, from academic and professional settings to news and general communication. To enhance clarity, it's best to specify what "it" refers to early in the sentence and avoid overusing passive voice. Alternative phrasing includes "if it is unable to be found" or "if its location is unknown", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if it is unable to be found

Replaces "located" with "found" and uses "unable" for "cannot", emphasizing capability.

if its location is unknown

Focuses on the state of the location being unknown, rather than the act of locating.

if it is not traceable

Replaces "located" with "traceable", suggesting an inability to follow its path or find its current position.

if it cannot be detected

Focuses on the inability to detect something, implying it is hidden or obscured.

should it be unlocatable

Uses a more formal and less common word, "unlocatable", to describe the inability to locate something.

in the event it is not found

Changes the structure to a more explicit conditional statement, emphasizing the possibility of not finding something.

if its whereabouts are unknown

Highlights that the place of something is not knowable at present.

if it proves impossible to locate

Adds a sense of difficulty and the potential for failure in locating something.

assuming it is not locatable

Introduces an assumption of non-locatability, rather than a direct inability to locate.

supposing it remains unfound

Emphasizes the state of something remaining unfound over time, adding a temporal dimension.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "if it cannot be located" for better clarity?

You can use alternatives such as "if it is not traceable", "if its location is unknown", or "if it is unable to be found" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "if it cannot be found" and "if it cannot be located"?

While similar, "if it cannot be found" generally implies a simple search with a possibility to discover something, whereas "if it cannot be located" suggests a more systematic or technical process of determining the precise position of something. Both are correct, but the latter might be more appropriate when referring to specific locations or data points.

Is "if it cannot be located" formal or informal?

The phrase "if it cannot be located" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, depending on the audience, you might opt for a simpler phrase like "if it cannot be found" for more casual communication.

When should I use "if it cannot be located" instead of "if it is lost"?

Use "if it cannot be located" when you're referring to something that is potentially misplaced or its position is unknown, but not necessarily gone permanently. "If it is lost" implies that it is gone and may not be recoverable. The choice depends on whether you believe the item still exists somewhere but is simply not currently known.