not found

USAGE SUMMARY

"not found" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was searched for but not found. For example, "I looked everywhere for my lost car keys, but they were not found."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is "Found Fount," not "Found Fonts".

The New York Times

He was not found.

The New York Times

"User Not Found," Skype announced.

The New Yorker

The gun was not found.

The New York Times

I've not found it difficult.

Independent

The shark was not found.

The New Yorker

Again, not found.

The New York Times

Content not found.

The Guardian

Wheatley was not found.

The Guardian

Ms. Blackman was not found for months.

The New York Times - Books

Jason was not found guilty of wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not found" to clearly and directly indicate that something searched for was not located. This phrase is suitable for technical documentation, reports, and general communication.

Common error

While "not found" is often used in passive constructions, consider rephrasing to active voice for more directness and clarity, especially when you know who or what failed to find something. For example, instead of "The error was not found", try "The developers did not find the error."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not found" functions as a negative passive construction, typically used to indicate the absence or failure to locate something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not found" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate the absence of something after a search or investigation. As Ludwig AI affirms, it is acceptable for use in various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and technical writing. While typically used in passive constructions, consider active voice alternatives for more directness. This guide provides practical tips and alternative phrases to enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to locate

Emphasizes the inability to find something, often suggesting a search was conducted.

could not be located

Passive voice construction indicating a failure to find something or someone.

untraceable

Highlights the impossibility of tracking or finding something.

missing

Simple term indicating something is absent or cannot be found.

not discovered

Focuses on the lack of discovery, suggesting something may be hidden or unknown.

failed to find

Explicitly states the failure of a search or attempt to locate.

not detected

Often used in technical or scientific contexts to indicate the absence of a signal or substance.

nowhere to be found

Emphasizes the complete absence of something, suggesting an extensive search.

unseen

Implies something exists but remains unobserved or undiscovered.

not present

States the absence of something in a specific location or context.

FAQs

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

You can use "not found" to indicate that something was searched for but could not be located. For example, "The missing file was "not found" during the system scan."

What is a more formal way to say "not found"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "unable to be located" or "undetectable". For example, "The source of the anomaly was "unable to be located"."

What are some alternative phrases for "not found" in technical contexts?

In technical contexts, consider using "not detected", "not identified", or "unavailable". For example, "The specified resource was "not detected" on the server."

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "not found"?

While "not found" is often used passively, using the active voice can make your writing more direct. Instead of "The solution was "not found"", you could say "The team did not find the solution".