unexamined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unexamined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has not been analyzed or scrutinized, often in a philosophical or critical context. Example: "Many people go through life with unexamined beliefs that shape their decisions and actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While some groups such as All Walks Beyond the Catwalk (allwalks.org) campaign tirelessly for the fashion industry to clean up its own backyard, elsewhere fashion is allowed to carry on living an unexamined life entirely outside the parameters of the "real world".

The Guardian - Opinion

There's a view that hip-hop "culture" alone is ultra-misogynistic, while other genres remain unexamined.

The Guardian - Opinion

Buy from Amazon.comTHE unexamined life is not worth living, or so Socrates famously told the jury at his trial.

The Economist

Maurício Santoro, also of the FGV, contrasts Brazil, once famously called "the country of the future", with backward-looking Argentina, "obsessed with the golden era a hundred years ago .One consequence of leaving Brazil's history unexamined is that repression continues today, though violence is now the business of the police rather than the army.

The Economist

THE unexamined life may not be worth living, but the overexamined life can be difficult, too.

The Economist

Yulia is timid, keeping family mementoes in an unexamined muddle under her bed.

The Economist

It demonstrates that whole swathes of the world have been left unexamined.

The Economist

Fragments of ten of the volumes have been found among the villa's treasures, so there is a good chance that more lie among the unexamined scrolls.For Dirk Obbink, a professor of classics at Oxford University, the promise lies in at last being able to look at the opening words of a classical book: dedications and forewords with rich and never-before-seen historical content.

The Economist

In Mr Amis's opinion the unexamined word is not worth writing, and this is the creed by which he lambasts author after author for their "automatic" use of language.

The Economist

For obvious reasons, the matter had remained largely unexamined in Israeli society if not in Israeli historiography.

The Economist

Yet it goes on to accept the widespread but generally unexamined premise that that could happen only if they fail economically.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unexamined" to describe assumptions, beliefs, or ideas that have not been critically evaluated. For instance, "Many societal norms are based on unexamined traditions."

Common error

Avoid using "unexamined" excessively in contexts where a more nuanced critique is needed. Overusing the term can make your writing sound overly judgmental or simplistic; sometimes a more specific term or description is more effective.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unexamined" is as an adjective. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun has not been subjected to scrutiny, analysis, or investigation. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "unexamined" qualifies concepts such as "life", "beliefs", or "assumptions". Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "unexamined" effectively describes something that has not been thoroughly analyzed or scrutinized. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and science contexts. Its purpose is to highlight potential flaws or incompleteness stemming from a lack of critical thought. While alternatives like "unexplored" or "unquestioned" exist, "unexamined" carries a distinct weight, often implying a call for further investigation or reflection. When writing, remember to avoid overuse and consider more nuanced language when appropriate. Ultimately, understanding and applying "unexamined" correctly can strengthen the clarity and critical depth of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexplored

Focuses on the lack of exploration or investigation.

unquestioned

Highlights the absence of doubt or challenge.

uninvestigated

Emphasizes the lack of formal inquiry or research.

unscrutinized

Stresses the absence of close inspection or critical analysis.

untested

Implies a lack of trial or verification.

unchallenged

Suggests that something has not been opposed or disputed.

unverified

Indicates a lack of confirmation or proof.

unanalyzed

Highlights the absence of detailed examination or analysis.

unconsidered

Suggests that something has not been given due thought or attention.

unreflected

Implies a lack of thoughtful contemplation.

FAQs

How is "unexamined" typically used in a sentence?

The word "unexamined" is typically used as an adjective to describe something, like a belief or life, that has not been subjected to scrutiny or analysis. For example, "The "unexamined life" is not worth living".

What are some alternatives to using the word "unexamined"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "unexplored", "unquestioned", or "uninvestigated". Each carries a slightly different nuance related to the type of examination lacking.

Is it correct to say "a life unexamined" or "an unexamined life"?

While both constructions are technically understandable, "an unexamined life" is more common and grammatically standard. The indefinite article "an" precedes a word beginning with a vowel sound.

What does it mean to lead "an unexamined life"?

To lead "an unexamined life" means to live without critically reflecting on one's beliefs, values, and actions. It suggests a passive acceptance of the status quo rather than active engagement with self-awareness and understanding. Often used to describe when someone lives an "unthinking existence".