they were not located

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were not located" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something or someone could not be found or was not present in a specific location. Example: "Despite extensive searching, they were not located in the area we expected them to be."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

These mutations were difficult to find in DNA at first because they were not located in the part of the gene that encodes the protein.

The New York Times - Science

These monitors showed no overall increase in ambient air pollution after Sandy, but they were not located near areas where debris was being gathered for removal to landfills.

Environmental Health Perspectives

The corresponding genes were predicted in the genomes of GP72 and Pf-5, but they were not located in a single operon.

BMC Genomics

Although latrines were not far in the sense of long distances, they were not located within the yard of the dwelling unit.

BMC Public Health

However, upon further investigation, many of these SNPs were eliminated if they were: not located within 2.5 kb of the 5' or 3' end of the gene; or detected within a gene that was not related to apoptosis.

BMC Medical Genomics

Small intronic variations and aberrations not affecting genes were excluded after verification that they were not located just upstream or downstream a known gene causing disorders of sex development as a positional effect should then be considered.

Human Reproduction

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Its century-old red-brick buildings, with traditional, slanted roofs would be charming if they weren't located next to a garbage processing center in the run-down neighborhood of To Kwa Wan.

The New York Times - Arts

Analyses by Zhou and his colleagues showed that the structures assumed to be follicles weren't seeds, because they weren't located in parts of the body where stomach contents would typically be found.

Science Magazine

They are not located in space, and they do not enter into any causal interactions.

SEP

This method is more appropriate to model the prestressing tendons when they are not located in a symmetrical fashion.

International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping

The 222Rn data at the 11 points on IM-3 (Figure 1) are not included because they are not located on an active fault (the Izumi Fault).

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were not located", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what 'they' refers to, and the specific location being referenced for clarity.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring that the pronoun 'they' has a clear and immediate antecedent. If the subject is not obvious, rephrase to specify exactly what was not located.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were not located" functions as a passive construction indicating the absence or the inability to find something or someone in a specific place. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were not located" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating that something or someone could not be found in a specific place. According to Ludwig, it conveys the absence of a person or object after a search. While its frequency is uncommon, its usage spans across various contexts, primarily in science and news media. Related phrases include "they could not be found" and "they were missing". When using this phrase, clarity is key to ensure the referent of 'they' is immediately apparent. The phrase serves a neutral to formal tone, suitable for a range of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they could not be found

Emphasizes the inability to find something, focusing on the action of searching.

they were untraceable

Highlights the inability to trace or track something, suggesting a more active attempt to follow its whereabouts.

their whereabouts were unknown

Focuses on the state of having unknown location or position.

they were not detectable

Emphasizes the inability to detect something, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

they were missing

Simply states the absence of something, without necessarily implying a search.

they were absent

Indicates that something or someone was not present at a specific time or place.

they eluded detection

Highlights the act of evading detection, suggesting a more deliberate avoidance.

their position was undetermined

Focuses on the lack of certainty regarding the location of something.

they were not present

Directly states the absence of something or someone in a particular location or situation.

they had disappeared

Implies that something or someone was once present but is now gone, often with a sense of mystery.

FAQs

What does "they were not located" mean?

The phrase "they were not located" means that something or someone could not be found in a specific place or after a search. It indicates an absence or the failure to find something in a particular area.

What can I say instead of "they were not located"?

You can use alternatives like "they could not be found", "their whereabouts were unknown", or "they were missing" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "they were not located" or "they could not be found"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "They were not located" is slightly more formal, while "they could not be found" is more common in everyday conversation.

How to use "they were not located" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "Despite an extensive search, the missing documents "they were not located" in the office."