not to be found

USAGE SUMMARY

"not to be found" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when talking about something that cannot be located or is missing. For example, "The book I had been looking for was nowhere to be found."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some were just not to be found.

The New York Times - Arts

The strudel was not to be found.

The New York Times

A bleaker prospect is not to be found in economics.

The Guardian - Business

Inspiration is not to be found in performance indicators.

The Guardian - Sport

Lamb chops are not to be found everywhere.

The Guardian - Travel

A vacant store is not to be found downtown.

The New York Times

But they're not to be found in the current proposal.

The Washington Post

One thing not to be found at "Pirates" is fireworks.

The New York Times

In fact, the word climate was not to be found.

The New York Times

This distinction is not to be found in the Constitution itself, however.

Harvard University

But the relevant factual foundation is not to be found in the legislative record.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not to be found" to describe something that is genuinely missing or absent, rather than simply unavailable. For instance, say "the original manuscript was not to be found" to suggest it's lost, not just in storage.

Common error

Avoid using "not to be found" excessively in highly formal writing, as more direct alternatives like "missing" or "absent" might be more appropriate. This keeps the tone professional and concise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not to be found" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of something that is missing or cannot be located. It often adds emphasis to the absence of the subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is correct and applicable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

12%

Science

4%

Less common in

Travel

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

HuffPost

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not to be found" correctly indicates that something is missing or cannot be located. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, from news reporting to academic writing, although more direct alternatives might be preferable in highly formal settings. It functions as a predicate adjective, emphasizing absence, and is often used to express surprise or frustration at the inability to locate something. While "nowhere to be found" stresses absence from all locations, "not to be found" is used more broadly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be found anywhere

Stresses the impossibility of finding something in any location.

cannot be located

Emphasizes the inability to pinpoint the location of something.

is missing

Directly states the absence of something.

is nowhere to be seen

Emphasizes the complete absence from view.

cannot be detected

Highlights the inability to perceive or identify something.

is absent

Simply states the lack of presence.

gone missing

Suggests a disappearance, often with an implication of mystery.

out of sight

Indicates that something is no longer visible.

untraceable

Implies that something cannot be followed or tracked.

vanished without a trace

Emphasizes a complete and mysterious disappearance.

FAQs

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

You can use "not to be found" to indicate something is missing or cannot be located, like in "The missing document was "not to be found" after the search".

What are some alternatives to "not to be found"?

Consider using phrases like "is missing", "cannot be located", or "is nowhere to be seen" as alternatives to "not to be found" to add variety to your writing.

Is "not to be found" formal or informal?

The phrase "not to be found" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, more direct alternatives may be preferable.

Is it correct to say "nowhere to be found" instead of "not to be found"?

Yes, "nowhere to be found" is a common and correct variation that emphasizes the absence of something in all locations. "Not to be found" is broader and can refer to something that isn't found in a specific context.