no trace was found

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "no trace was found" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as investigations, searches, or analyses where the absence of evidence or signs is being reported. Example: "After thoroughly examining the area, the detectives concluded that no trace was found of the missing person."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Indeed, some documents that we retrieved can only be understood in the context of activities or projects, which must have generated further documents of which no trace was found, in spite of our varied attempts.

European Journal of Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"No traces were found when they searched his home in Colorado".

The New York Times

bulgaricus strains, arcD is present as a pseudogene, while no traces are found of the arcA, B, or C genes.

BMC Genomics

Of several fishing boats and a small Mexican Navy vessel caught in the storm, no trace reportedly was found; all persons aboard these vessels apparently died.

Wikipedia

No trace was ever found of him.

The New Yorker

Despite a huge conventional search operation (followed by more exotic efforts involving psychics and a Gurkha parachuted into Cambodia), no trace was ever found of him.

The Economist

At the end of the day, only Albanov and a single companion will survive; of the St. Anna and its remaining 13-member crew, no trace was ever found.

The New York Times - Books

Despite a large-scale search for the boat or any possible remnants, no trace was ever found.

Wikipedia

But the court heard testimony that no trace of bullets was found on the outpost walls.

The New York Times

No trace of him was found, but the area remained under Spanish rule.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Aberdeen coastguards sent two teams to search the coastline for Mr MacDonald, but no trace of him was found.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "no trace was found", ensure the context clearly establishes what was being searched for. For example, "After searching the wreckage, no trace of survivors was found."

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice when using "no trace was found". While grammatically correct, active voice can sometimes provide a more direct and impactful statement. For example, instead of "No trace was found by the investigators", consider "The investigators found no trace".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no trace was found" functions as an assertion of absence. It is commonly used to indicate the lack of evidence or detectable remnants following a search, investigation, or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage of the phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "no trace was found" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the absence of evidence or signs after a search or investigation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct. It is prevalent in news reports, scientific publications, and general writing, maintaining a neutral register. When employing this phrase, be mindful of the context and consider whether an active voice might be more impactful. Alternatives like ""no evidence was located"" or ""nothing was discovered"" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Remember to clearly define the search parameters for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no evidence was located

Replaces "trace" with "evidence" and "found" with "located", focusing on the lack of tangible proof.

no signs were detected

Substitutes "trace" with "signs" and "found" with "detected", emphasizing the absence of indicators.

nothing was discovered

Replaces the entire phrase with a simpler expression indicating a lack of discovery.

no indication was apparent

Replaces "trace" with "indication" and restructures the sentence to highlight the lack of apparent clues.

no remains were unearthed

Uses "remains" instead of "trace" and "unearthed" instead of "found", often used in archaeological or investigative contexts.

nothing turned up

An idiomatic alternative emphasizing the unsuccessful search or investigation.

no clue surfaced

Focuses on the absence of any clue or lead in an investigation.

the search yielded nothing

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the fruitless outcome of the search.

all efforts proved fruitless

Indicates that all attempts to find something were unsuccessful.

the investigation revealed nothing

Emphasizes that the investigation did not uncover any significant information.

FAQs

What does "no trace was found" mean?

The phrase "no trace was found" indicates that after a search or investigation, there was no evidence, sign, or indication of the thing being looked for. It implies a complete absence of any detectable remnants or clues.

How can I use "no trace was found" in a sentence?

You can use "no trace was found" to report the unsuccessful outcome of a search or investigation. For example: "Despite an extensive search, "no trace was found" of the missing hikers" or "The police searched the suspect's apartment, but "no trace was found" of the stolen money".

What are some alternatives to "no trace was found"?

Some alternatives to "no trace was found" include "no evidence was located", "no signs were detected", or "nothing was discovered". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "no trace was found" or "no traces were found"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they imply slightly different meanings. "No trace was found" suggests a general absence of any indication, while "no traces were found" suggests a lack of multiple specific indicators. The choice depends on whether you're referring to a singular, general trace or multiple, distinct traces.