not seen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not seen" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, "The children had not seen each other for many years." In this context, the phrase "not seen" is used to emphasize that the children had not seen each other in a long time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Police are not seen.

The New York Times

Fruit: not seen.

University of California, Berkeley

He had not seen Jesus.

The New Yorker

He had not seen them.

The New Yorker

I've deliberately not seen it.

Independent

"I've not seen one yet".

Independent

I've not seen the agreement.

The New York Times

I had not seen anything.

The New Yorker

I have not seen that.

Independent

"We've not seen anybody. . .

The Washington Post

"I've not seen it".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not seen" to clearly indicate a lack of visibility or observation, whether physical or conceptual.

Common error

Avoid using "not seen" when a passive construction with "unseen" is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The potential was not seen by the investors", consider "The potential went unseen by the investors" or "The potential remained "unseen" by investors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not seen" primarily functions as a negative observation, indicating a lack of visual perception or awareness. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts. Examples show it describing both physical absence from view and failure to notice something present.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not seen" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a lack of visual perception or awareness. Ludwig confirms its widespread use across diverse contexts, including news reports, scientific publications, and academic writings. While versatile, it's crucial to distinguish it from related terms like ""unseen"" and "not visible" to ensure accuracy. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, though careful consideration should be given to the specific context to ensure the most appropriate phrasing. Considering the insights from Ludwig, "not seen" is a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not visible

Focuses on the lack of visibility rather than the act of seeing.

unobserved

Highlights that something was not noticed or witnessed.

undetected

Emphasizes that something was not found or identified.

not noticed

Focuses on the lack of attention given to something.

gone unnoticed

Implies something happened without being detected or acknowledged.

escaped attention

Suggests something avoided being noticed.

not in sight

Indicates something is physically absent from view.

out of view

Similar to 'not in sight' but can also imply being hidden.

not apparent

Focuses on the lack of obviousness or clarity.

not perceived

Emphasizes that something was not consciously recognized or understood.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "not seen" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "unobserved", "undetected", or "gone unnoticed". For example, instead of "The error was not seen", try "The error went "unnoticed"".

What is the difference between "not seen" and "unseen"?

"Not seen" implies a lack of active observation, while ""unseen"" suggests something is inherently invisible or has not yet been revealed. "Not seen" focuses on the act of seeing, whereas "unseen" describes a state of being.

When is it better to use "not visible" instead of "not seen"?

Use "not visible" when referring to a physical inability to be seen due to obstruction or lack of light. For instance, "The ship was not visible due to the fog" is more appropriate than "The ship was "not seen" because of the fog". "Not seen" is suitable when referring to a failure to observe something that was present.

What are some alternatives to "I have not seen"?

Depending on the context, you can use "I haven't observed", "I haven't noticed", or "I am unaware of". For example, instead of "I have "not seen" any changes", you could say "I haven't observed any changes" or "I am unaware of any changes".