not detected

USAGE SUMMARY

"not detected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something has not been noticed or observed. For example, "The intruder was not detected by the security cameras."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

CD45 was not detected.

Nature

n.d.: not detected.

Nature

ND; not detected.

Nature

N.D., not detected.

Nature

nd = not detected.

Nature

"They're not detected as easily".

The New Yorker

Giardia was not detected.

Water Research

Pit propagation was not detected.

Electrochimica Acta

"I have not detected any negative fallout.

The New York Times

In fact, it is usually not detected.

The New York Times - Arts

B. burgdorferi was not detected.

Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not detected" to clearly state the absence of something after a search or examination. For emphasis, specify the method used for detection (e.g., "The virus was not detected by PCR").

Common error

Avoid using "not detected" without providing context. Clarify what was being looked for and by what means. For instance, instead of just saying "No abnormalities were not detected", specify "No abnormalities were detected on the X-ray examination".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not detected" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase combined with a passive verb. It indicates the absence of something that was being sought or measured. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

72%

News & Media

20%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not detected" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate the absence of something searched for or measured. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in English, particularly within scientific, academic, and news-related contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide context regarding what was being sought and the methods used for detection. While alternatives like "undetectable" or "not found" exist, "not detected" offers a specific connotation of a search yielding a null result. Its formality and clarity make it suitable for a wide range of writing situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undetectable

This adjective directly describes something that cannot be detected.

not found

This alternative simply states that something was searched for but not located.

not observed

This phrase emphasizes the lack of visual or sensory confirmation.

absence confirmed

This alternative explicitly states that the lack of something has been verified.

failed to register

This implies that an attempt was made to record or measure something, but it did not produce a result.

negative result obtained

This phrase suggests a formal test or experiment yielded no positive finding.

nothing was identified

This suggests no specific thing could be singled out or discovered

remained unconfirmed

This implies the detection or confirmation was expected but never happened.

eluded detection

This suggests something actively avoided being detected.

escaped notice

This phrase conveys that something was present, but was overlooked or unnoticed.

FAQs

How can I use "not detected" in a sentence?

Use "not detected" to indicate the absence of something after an examination or search. For example, "The contaminant was "not detected" in the water sample".

What are some alternatives to "not detected"?

Alternatives include "undetectable", "not found", or "not observed" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "wasn't detected" instead of "not detected"?

Yes, "wasn't detected" is a contraction of "was not detected" and is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts. However, in formal or scientific writing, it is generally preferred to use the full form, "was "not detected"".

What does it mean when a lab report says "not detected"?

In a lab report, "not detected" means that the substance or condition being tested for was not found to be present above the detection limit of the test.