pass unobserved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pass unobserved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that goes unnoticed or is not detected by others. Example: "The thief managed to pass unobserved through the crowded market, escaping with the stolen goods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Now that she has arrived, no sartorial pleasantry of hers is allowed by the trade to pass unobserved.

The New Yorker

Further, irregularity of this kind would be particularly unlikely to pass unobserved, since contrast makes observation easy.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The rest of the contest depended on courage; in which our men decidedly had the advantage; and the more so, because the whole action was carried on in the sight of Caesar and the entire army; so that no act, a little more valiant than ordinary, could pass unobserved, for all the hills and higher grounds, from which there was a near prospect of the sea were occupied by our army.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And in 1974, Oulipo novelist Georges Perec wrote An Attempt at Exhausting a Place in Paris, a work that catalogued those features of a city space that typically pass unobserved, like pedestrian patterns and bus schedules.

Vice

They went door to door through the building, she said, spraying brown paint to block the keyholes so they could pass unobserved.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It looks as if, during the 9-month exposure, the lowest dose "passed unobserved" and then was able to interfere with the steroidogenic tissue, whereas the highest dose was blocked by the defence mechanisms of the organism.

BioMed Research International

So why did Mr. Kessler's departure go unobserved?

The New York Times - Arts

Shane Battier may go unobserved by the statistician's naked eye, but not by Kobe Bryant.

Harvard Business Review

Though flat on his back in the debris, Romi, the deliveryman, did not go unobserved.

The New York Times

If risk is everybody's business in an organization, pockets of it aren't likely to go unobserved.

Harvard Business Review

It was dawn by the time the tiger left the city, but he did not go unobserved.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pass unobserved" to describe events or actions that occur without being noticed or detected, particularly in narratives or descriptive writing where the lack of observation is significant to the context.

Common error

Avoid using "pass unobserved" in active constructions where a subject is actively causing something to go unnoticed. It is generally used to describe situations where something inherently avoids observation without direct manipulation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pass unobserved" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action occurs without being noticed. Ludwig AI confirms that it denotes a state of being unnoticed. Examples show its use in various contexts, such as describing actions or changes that go unnoticed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pass unobserved" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that goes unnoticed, with Ludwig AI confirming its usability. While not exceedingly common, it finds application across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and scientific discourse. The phrase is especially useful for emphasizing the lack of observation, offering a unique perspective on how events or actions can occur without drawing attention. Alternatives like "go unnoticed" or "remain undetected" can provide similar meanings, but "pass unobserved" carries a slightly more nuanced implication of actively evading detection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go unnoticed

This alternative is more concise and directly implies a lack of observation.

remain undetected

This alternative emphasizes the idea of avoiding detection, often implying a deliberate effort to stay hidden.

escape notice

This suggests something narrowly avoided being noticed.

slip by unnoticed

This phrase emphasizes the ease with which something was not seen.

evade detection

Similar to 'remain undetected', but it often suggests active avoidance.

not be observed

A more literal and direct way of saying the same thing, suitable for formal contexts.

pass without being seen

This alternative emphasizes the visual aspect of not being observed.

go unseen

A simple and direct way to express that something was not visually perceived.

remain inconspicuous

This focuses on the quality of being unnoticeable or blending in.

pass in silence

This moves away from visual observation and suggests that something happened without being discussed or acknowledged.

FAQs

How can I use "pass unobserved" in a sentence?

You can use "pass unobserved" to describe something that happens without being noticed. For example, "The subtle changes in the painting "passed unobserved" by most visitors."

What are some alternatives to "pass unobserved"?

Alternatives include "go unnoticed", "remain undetected", or "escape notice". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "go unobserved" or "pass unobserved"?

"Go unobserved" and "pass unobserved" are quite similar, but "pass unobserved" often implies a more active process of moving through a space or situation without being noticed. "Go unobserved" is generally simpler and more direct.

What does "pass unobserved" imply about the subject?

"Pass unobserved" suggests the subject either inherently lacks qualities that attract attention or that circumstances allowed it to avoid detection. It emphasizes the lack of interaction or notice from outside observers.