unable to be found

USAGE SUMMARY

"unable to be found" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: The missing cat was unable to be found despite hours of searching.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Polyps seen and not removed during colonoscope insertion are sometimes unable to be found during withdrawal.

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

The Chicago police department operates an off-the-books interrogation compound, rendering Americans unable to be found by family or attorneys while locked inside what lawyers say is the domestic equivalent of a CIA black site.

The Guardian

The cover-up official story is the boy was unable to be found after the ballon lifted off, leading everyone to assume he was on board.

TechCrunch

Unable to be found and never to be seen again.

Huffington Post

Altez Navarro stated on August 21, 2010 that the case was stagnating because an official interpreter was unable to be found for the case in Peru.

Wikipedia

"It does not appear he had a residence and we've done a thorough background and the only family members that come up are either deceased or unable to be found.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

I find myself unable to be so optimistic.

The Guardian - Opinion

The birds, which were unable to fly away, were found stranded on land behind the House of Mannanan in Peel on Thursday.

BBC

If a doctor was unable to work, a replacement was found.

Annals of Intensive Care

The one bottle he had been unable to find was a 1929 Château Ausone.

The New Yorker

"They report that their fears about losing their jobs and being unable to find work are making them ill.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unable to be found" when you want to emphasize the inability to locate something or someone after a search. It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "unable to be found" can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "couldn't be found" or "wasn't found" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to be found" functions as a passive adjectival phrase, describing a state of being unlocatable or undiscoverable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unable to be found" is a grammatically sound adjectival phrase signifying the failure to locate something or someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for news, scientific, and general contexts, although it leans toward a more neutral to formal tone. While phrases like "cannot be located" or "impossible to find" offer simpler alternatives, "unable to be found" remains a valid and useful option for conveying a lack of discovery. However, consider the context and audience to make sure it is the most appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be located

This alternative uses a more direct verb and implies a straightforward search with no success.

impossible to find

This suggests a high degree of difficulty or improbability in locating something.

missing and unrecovered

This alternative is suited for situations where the object was lost or stolen.

lost and not recovered

This phrase implies a loss with no subsequent retrieval.

cannot be detected

This phrase is useful in technical or scientific contexts, meaning something is not registering on instruments.

untraceable

This alternative describes something that lacks a discernible path or origin.

gone missing

This emphasizes the act of disappearing or becoming lost.

nowhere to be found

This alternative is more emphatic, highlighting the complete absence of something.

vanished without a trace

This idiom suggests a complete and mysterious disappearance.

cannot be identified

This phrase is useful when the identity of something is unknown.

FAQs

What does "unable to be found" mean?

It means that something or someone could not be located or discovered after a search or inquiry.

How to use "unable to be found" in a sentence?

You can say, "The missing documents were "unable to be found" despite a thorough search of the office".

What can I say instead of "unable to be found"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be located", "impossible to find", or "gone missing", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "could not be found" or "unable to be found"?

"Could not be found" is generally more common and less formal. "Unable to be found" is grammatically correct but can sound more formal or emphatic.