not obtained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not obtained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has not been acquired or achieved. Example: "The necessary documents were not obtained before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Peace is not obtained.

The New York Times

Traywick says Ascendance has not obtained one.

MIT Technology Review

Mr. Campbell said Mr. Juliano had not obtained those permits.

The New York Times

That special warrant was not obtained in this instance.

The Guardian

Medical records were not obtained for self-report of BCC.

Nature

However, the desired personalized atmosphere is not obtained.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It has also not obtained the operating certificates for the two passenger services through the Tunnel.

The Guardian

Most egregiously, the timeline reported by law enforcement was not obtained through interviews with Dr. Murray".

The New York Times

But he said officials here had not obtained any precise information on such a count.

The New York Times

So all of that is information that was not obtained through intelligence channels.

The Guardian

But they also said Mr. Padilla had not obtained the materials to make such a device.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider synonyms like "not acquired" or "not received" if they better fit the nuance of your sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "not obtained" when a more precise term like "lost" or "stolen" would be more accurate. "Not obtained" implies a failure to acquire, not necessarily a loss of possession.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not obtained" primarily functions as a negative passive construction, indicating that something was not acquired or received. It is commonly used to report a lack of attainment or acquisition, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not obtained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase indicating that something was not acquired or achieved. As verified by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from scientific reports and news articles to formal business communications. Its primary function is to report the absence of something in a clear and direct manner. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to consider the context and choose synonyms when a more precise meaning is needed, such as "not acquired" or "not received". Common errors include misusing it when a more specific term like "lost" or "stolen" would be more appropriate. Overall, "not obtained" is a reliable and useful phrase for conveying a lack of attainment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not acquired

Focuses more on the lack of acquisition or gaining possession.

not received

Emphasizes the absence of something being given or delivered.

not secured

Highlights the failure to make something safe or certain.

not attained

Implies a lack of reaching a particular goal or level.

not achieved

Similar to "not attained", but more broadly applicable to any accomplishment.

not gained

Indicates a failure to obtain something as a result of effort or action.

not procured

More formal, suggesting a lack of acquiring something through official channels.

not accessed

Emphasizes the lack of ability or permission to reach or use something.

not realized

Focuses on something that did not come into being or become a reality.

not finalized

Indicates something that was not brought to completion or a settled state.

FAQs

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

You can use "not obtained" to indicate that something was not acquired or achieved. For example, "The required data was "not obtained" in time for the analysis."

What are some alternatives to "not obtained"?

Alternatives include phrases like "not acquired", "not received", or "not secured", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "wasn't obtained"?

Yes, "wasn't obtained" is a contraction of "was not obtained" and is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English. It carries the same meaning as "not obtained".

What's the difference between "not obtained" and "failed to obtain"?

"Not obtained" is a more neutral statement indicating a lack of acquisition. "Failed to obtain" implies an attempt was made, but it was unsuccessful. The choice depends on whether effort was expended to acquire something. If effort was involved, "failed to obtain" may be more correct.