in unknown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in unknown" is not correct and usable in written English.
It lacks clarity and context, making it difficult to understand its intended meaning. Example: "The results were found in unknown circumstances."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Twenty years later, we swim in unknown unknowns.

The Guardian

That's normal because we're in unknown territory.

The Guardian - Sport

They are travelers in unknown realms.

The New York Times - Books

Callouts were best in unknown situations.

The New Yorker

I find myself in unknown territory.

The New York Times

He wakes in unknown waters, having drifted far from the cove of the title.

The Guardian - Books

Within weeks, however, a stroke has deposited him in unknown territory.

The New York Times - Books

To date, Dolores and Maeve have been raped, scalped and abused in unknown ways.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He travelled among strangers in unknown places, victim of a new set of rules.

The Guardian - Books

The Dutchman is in Rio but in unknown form after breaking his wrist in the Tour's late stages.

The Guardian - Sport

After all, the Wellingtons only have to finish higher than fourth to find themselves in unknown waters.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reframe your sentence to use more grammatically sound alternatives such as "in unknown territory", "in an unknown location" or "in an unknown state".

Common error

Avoid placing prepositions like "in" directly before adjectives. Instead, ensure that the adjective modifies a noun or noun phrase, such as "in unknown territory" or "in a state of unknown origin".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in unknown" functions as a preposition followed by an adjective, which is grammatically incomplete. As Ludwig AI points out, it lacks clarity and requires a noun to follow "unknown" to create a meaningful phrase. For example, "in unknown territory" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in unknown" is considered grammatically incorrect as highlighted by Ludwig AI because it requires a noun to complete its meaning. While examples exist in News & Media and Science, it's recommended to use alternatives like "in unknown territory" or "in an unknown state" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity. Always consider the context to choose the most appropriate and semantically accurate replacement. Remember to avoid simply placing prepositions like "in" before adjectives, or at least complete it adding a noun or noun phrase for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in uncharted territory

Emphasizes the lack of prior mapping or experience.

in unexplored regions

Highlights the aspect of physical or conceptual discovery.

in unfamiliar circumstances

Focuses on the lack of prior experience with a situation.

in uncertain conditions

Stresses the lack of predictability and clarity.

in indefinite situations

Highlights the lack of defined boundaries or limits.

in a mysterious realm

Conveys a sense of wonder and lack of comprehension.

in unmapped areas

Stresses the absence of a known layout or structure.

in an unstudied field

Emphasizes the lack of academic analysis or research.

in an undefined space

Focuses on the lack of clear boundaries or parameters.

in vague surroundings

Highlights the lack of clarity and definition in the environment.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the idea of "in unknown" in a sentence?

Rephrase to use a noun after "unknown", such as "in unknown territory", "in unknown circumstances", or "in unknown waters".

What's a better way to say "in unknown"?

Consider using "in unexplored", "in unfamiliar", or "in uncharted" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "in unknown"?

No, it's generally not grammatically correct. "Unknown" needs to modify a noun, so you would typically say something like "in unknown territory" instead.

What is the difference between "in unknown territory" and "in uncharted territory"?

"In unknown territory" simply implies a lack of familiarity, while "in uncharted territory" suggests a lack of mapping or documentation.