something cannot be found

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "something cannot be found" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are talking about something that is not able to be located or located with difficulty. For example, "I searched my house, but my keys still cannot be found."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If something cannot be found in the "Real World", it may appear in the "Dream World", such as with Spiegelspire, in the middle of the quest.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Instead, the definition should be "something that cannot be found on the web using Google".

The Guardian - Tech

The robot boy David's quest is for something that cannot be found in the world or on a cinema screen: that is, the soul.

The Guardian - Film

These cliffs, made up of tough volcanic basalt rock, also known as traprock, say local historians, biologists and geologists, are unique features of the Connecticut landscape, something that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

The New York Times

The Language Council of Sweden, which oversees the addition of official new words to the Swedish lexicon, had lined up ogooglebar, defined as "something that cannot be found on the web using a search engine".

The Guardian - Tech

Basically they are of two types: explorers or visitors seeking something that cannot be found elsewhere – and money is the very last thing they seek; and men who have established a symbiosis with nature, as it exists in its human and non-human shape, in these wilds.

The Guardian - Books

But it defined the term as something that cannot be found with any search engine.

BBC

The language watchdog defines "ungoogleable", or "ogooglebar" in Swedish, as something that cannot be found with any search engine.

BBC

This was defined as something "that cannot be found on the Web using a search engine".

Huffington Post

As Emma Ianni, Cornell '17, an undergraduate from Italy puts it, I came here to find something that cannot be found [at home]: a bright future.

Huffington Post

Like fifties something?" The answer cannot be found on the menu, which shows influences from just about everywhere and seems organized according to mood.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider rewording to more specific phrases like "the solution cannot be found" or "the missing piece cannot be found" to improve clarity

Common error

Avoid using "something cannot be found" excessively in passive voice. Active constructions often sound more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The answer cannot be found", try "We cannot find the answer".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something cannot be found" functions as a statement indicating the impossibility of locating or discovering a particular item or piece of information. Ludwig AI confirms this as grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "something cannot be found" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the inability to locate something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While versatile, consider using more specific alternatives for clarity and avoiding overuse in passive constructions. The phrase's neutral tone makes it suitable for various situations, but choose precise wording to match your intended emphasis and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something is unfindable

Emphasizes the inherent inability to find the object.

something is impossible to locate

Highlights the impossibility of determining the object's whereabouts.

something is not discoverable

Focuses on the lack of discoverability, suggesting it's hidden or concealed.

something is nowhere to be found

Indicates a comprehensive search yielding no results.

something is unattainable

Suggests the object is beyond reach or impossible to get.

something is irretrievable

Implies the object is lost and cannot be recovered.

something is beyond reach

Highlights the inaccessibility of the item.

something is out of reach

Similar to 'beyond reach', emphasizing physical or metaphorical distance.

something remains elusive

Indicates the object continues to avoid being found or understood.

something has vanished without a trace

Highlights the complete disappearance of the object, leaving no clues.

FAQs

How can I use "something cannot be found" in a sentence?

You can use "something cannot be found" to indicate that an item or information is missing or impossible to locate, like in "Despite extensive searches, the key evidence something cannot be found."

What are some alternatives to saying "something cannot be found"?

Alternatives include "something is missing", "something is lost", or "something is unattainable" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "something cannot be found" or "we cannot find something"?

The choice depends on the desired emphasis. "Something cannot be found" emphasizes the missing item, while "we cannot find something" emphasizes the inability of the searchers. The active voice is often more direct.

What is the difference between "something cannot be found" and "something is hard to find"?

"Something cannot be found" implies it's impossible to locate, while "something is hard to find" suggests it's difficult but not necessarily impossible.