is untraceable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is untraceable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that cannot be tracked or traced back to its origin or source. Example: "The hacker's identity is untraceable, making it difficult for authorities to apprehend them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

In between these outbreaks, it is untraceable, hiding deep in the jungle.

The Guardian

Gregory's own donor is untraceable – he was conceived just before regulation, and therefore record-keeping.

The Guardian

At the Senate hearing this week, Brightmail [an antispam software company] said that 90percentt of spam is untraceable.

The New York Times

It jibes with the organization's belief in transparency and reminds people that just because an edit is unsigned doesn't mean it is untraceable.

The New York Times - Magazine

For another problem with Mr Maroni's scheme is that many immigrants cannot be sent home, either because their nationality is untraceable or because Italy does not have a repatriation deal with their countries.

The Economist

Some of the money was given away as gifts, and from $300 million to $350 million is untraceable either because no loan records were kept or the names of the borrowers were fictitious, officials have said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Most out-of-state purchases are untraceable.

The New York Times

Plastic guns are untraceable, undetectable, and uncontrollable.

The Washington Post

This year the messages were unstoppable, and their senders were untraceable.

The Economist

"Our private communications, by default, should be untraceable.

The New York Times

More than 100 had been destroyed, died or were untraceable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal or security contexts, replace "is untraceable" with synonyms like "cannot be traced" or "is undetectable" to maintain a formal and precise tone.

Common error

Avoid using "is untraceable" without specifying what is difficult or impossible to trace. For instance, instead of saying "The data is untraceable", specify "The origin of the data is untraceable due to encryption".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is untraceable" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject as being impossible to trace or track. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It typically modifies a noun, indicating a quality or state of being.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

21%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is untraceable" is grammatically correct and serves as an adjective phrase indicating that something cannot be tracked or traced back to its origin. Ludwig's analysis shows that this phrase is used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, with a neutral register. While not extremely common, it's a useful term for emphasizing the elusiveness or anonymity of a subject. When using the phrase, it's important to specify what exactly is untraceable to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is untrackable

A more direct synonym, emphasizing the impossibility of maintaining a record of something's whereabouts.

cannot be traced

Focuses on the inability to follow a path or series of events leading back to the origin.

is impossible to track

Emphasizes the lack of possibility in monitoring or following something's movement or progress.

is undetectable

Highlights the inability to perceive or discover something's presence.

cannot be found

Focuses on the simple absence of something, making it impossible to locate.

is beyond detection

Suggests the level of elusiveness exceeds the capabilities of detection methods.

leaves no trace

Emphasizes the absence of any evidence or indication that something existed or occurred.

is lost without a trace

Highlights a more permanent and complete disappearance.

eludes detection

Emphasizes the active avoidance of being discovered.

defies tracking

Suggests an active resistance to being followed or monitored.

FAQs

How can I use "is untraceable" in a sentence?

Use "is untraceable" to describe something that cannot be followed back to its source or origin. For example, "The source of the anonymous donation is untraceable".

What are some alternatives to "is untraceable"?

Alternatives include "cannot be traced", "is undetectable", or "is impossible to track", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was untraceable" instead of "is untraceable"?

Yes, "was untraceable" is correct when referring to a past state. For instance, "The original signal was untraceable after the encryption was applied".

What does it mean when something "is untraceable"?

It means that the origin, path, or source of something cannot be determined or followed using available methods. It implies a lack of evidence or means to track it.