not easily found

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not easily found" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is difficult to locate or discover. Example: "The rare book was not easily found in the local library, requiring a search through several archives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The answer is not easily found.

The Washington Post

But remnants of authentic Germania are not easily found today.

The Guardian

Upstairs, and not easily found, are more treasures.

The New York Times - Travel

Nests are not easily found, as these birds do not readily flush from eggs.

Cornell University

Micropollutants are widely misunderstood because they are not easily found or observed.

Columbia University

There is a kind of joy in the book not easily found in the earlier work.

The New Yorker

So the kind of neutral and mutually acceptable go-between required is not easily found.

The Guardian - Opinion

The president's brand of certainty and fervor is not easily found here.

The New York Times

The topless pictures are not easily found on the front page of thesun.co.uk.

The Guardian

Instead, we steered a middle route, seeking out less complicated food not easily found at home.

The New York Times - Travel

But this place is not easily found on Google Maps, or even to the naked eye.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts or qualities that are challenging to identify, "not easily found" is particularly effective. For example, "A sense of inner peace is not easily found in today's hectic world."

Common error

Avoid using "not easily found" when a simpler term like "hard to find" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not easily found" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun's quality of being difficult to locate or discover. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correctly used in written English, as showcased by various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not easily found" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that is difficult to locate or discover. As highlighted by Ludwig, its usage spans across diverse contexts, with a strong presence in News & Media, Academia and Science. While interchangeable with simpler alternatives like "hard to find", "not easily found" can add a slightly more formal tone. When writing, be mindful to use it when the difficulty of finding something is a key point, and avoid overusing it in contexts where simpler terms would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to find

Direct synonym, indicating difficulty in locating something.

difficult to locate

More formal alternative, emphasizing the challenge in finding something specific.

not readily available

Focuses on the lack of immediate accessibility.

scarce

Implies a limited quantity or availability.

in short supply

Highlights the limited availability of something.

uncommon

Indicates that something is not frequently encountered.

elusive

Suggests something is difficult to catch or obtain, often due to its evasive nature.

rare

Implies something is infrequently found and potentially valuable.

hard to come by

Informal expression for something difficult to acquire.

difficult to obtain

Emphasizes the effort required to get something.

FAQs

What does "not easily found" mean?

The phrase "not easily found" means something is difficult to locate, discover, or obtain. It implies that effort or searching is required.

How can I use "not easily found" in a sentence?

You can use "not easily found" to describe anything that isn't simple to discover. For example: "Authenticity is "not easily found" in mass-produced items."

Which is correct, "not easily found" or "not easy to find"?

Both "not easily found" and "not easy to find" are grammatically correct. The choice often depends on desired tone and context. "Not easily found" may sound slightly more formal.

What are some alternatives to "not easily found"?

You can use alternatives like "hard to find", "difficult to locate", or "not readily available" depending on the specific context.