not to find

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not to find" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are expressing the inability or failure to discover something. Example: "I searched the entire house, but I was not to find my missing keys."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I decided not to find out.

The New York Times

Force yourself not to find the balance.

Harvard Business Review

But not to find an answer, is a worse.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The purpose in life is not to find yourself.

The New York Times

She seemed not to find this notion creepy.

The New York Times

I tend not to find their arguments entirely persuasive.

The New York Times

It was hard not to find it horribly funny.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And, more importantly, can we afford not to find out?

The Guardian

Next time, Brad, maybe it's best not to find out.

The Guardian - Arts

It's hard not to find her a sympathetic figure.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was surprised not to find weapons of mass destruction.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not to find" to express a deliberate intention to avoid discovering something, or when highlighting an unexpected absence of something during a search or investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "not to find" when a passive construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The error was not to find", prefer "The error was not found" as it is clearer and more concise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not to find" primarily functions as a negative infinitive, often expressing an expectation, intention, or result where something is not discovered. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, from anticipating a lack of findings to indicating a deliberate avoidance of discovery.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not to find" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to negate the act of discovery. Its versatility allows it to express expectation, intention, or simply a lack of finding. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable. The analysis reveals that "not to find" is commonly found in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Science" contexts. Alternatives such as "fail to discover" or "unable to locate" can provide similar meanings with slightly different emphasis. Remember to avoid misusing it in passive constructions for clearer communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to fail to discover

Highlights the failure in the act of discovering something.

to be unable to locate

Focuses on the inability to pinpoint the location of something.

to avoid discovering

Emphasizes the intention to prevent the finding of something.

to miss finding

Implies overlooking or failing to notice something that could have been found.

to not uncover

Stresses the lack of revelation or exposure of something hidden.

to neglect to find

Suggests a failure to find something due to negligence or oversight.

to not detect

Focuses on the failure to perceive or notice something.

to not come across

Indicates a failure to encounter or stumble upon something.

to struggle to find

Emphasizes the difficulty experienced in the act of finding something.

to not manage to find

Highlights the lack of success in an attempt to find something.

FAQs

How can I use "not to find" in a sentence?

You can use "not to find" to indicate a failure or intention to avoid discovery, as in "They expected "not to find" any issues during the audit".

What is a formal alternative to "not to find"?

A more formal alternative would be "to fail to discover" or "to be unable to locate", suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is it ever correct to use "didn't find" instead of "not to find"?

Yes, "didn't find" is a common and often more direct way to express the absence of discovery, especially in informal contexts. "Not to find" is usually used in more specific or nuanced constructions.

What's the difference between "not to find" and "unable to find"?

"Unable to find" emphasizes the lack of capability, while "not to find" can also imply intention or expectation. For example, "They were "unable to find" the source code because it was encrypted" suggests a limitation, whereas "They expected "not to find" any issues" implies a prior expectation.