was not captured

USAGE SUMMARY

'was not captured' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that could not be obtained or was not successful in being achieved. For example: "The criminal was on the run for weeks, but he was not captured by the police."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was not captured until Aug. 10.

The New York Times

Plainly stated, Bergdahl was not captured in a firefight on the battlefield.

Harvard University

Because the Siamese put up fierce resistance, Ayutthaya was not captured until August 1569.

Britannica

He was not captured by the French authorities until a year later, on April 20 , 1962

Britannica

But General Majid survived that raid and others, and was not captured until August.

The New York Times

Judith Treviño Cabrera, 43, was not captured in the raids last week.

The New York Times

But no mention was made of the fate of the man who was not "captured".

The New York Times

What happened to the wafer after that was not captured on camera.

The New York Times

The attack itself was not captured by the security camera in the lobby.

The New York Times

He was not captured in the Wednesday raid and remains at large.

The New York Times

A military spokesman said the insurgent leader was not captured in the raid.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not captured" to clearly express that something or someone evaded being caught, recorded, or documented. Ensure the context provides clarity on what "captured" refers to, whether it's a physical capture, data collection, or recording of an event.

Common error

Avoid using "was not captured" ambiguously. Specify what exactly was supposed to be captured to prevent misinterpretations. For example, instead of saying 'The detail was not captured', clarify with 'The detail of the suspect's height was not captured in the report'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not captured" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject did not undergo the action of being captured. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

35%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was not captured" is a frequently used passive construction that conveys the lack of a successful capture, whether in a literal or figurative sense. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is both grammatically correct and versatile, suitable for a range of contexts from news and media to science and academic writing. Key alternatives include "escaped capture", "remained at large", and "went unrecorded". When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what exactly "captured" refers to, and avoid ambiguity by providing specific details. Being a very common phrase, it's important to avoid generic use to guarantee correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not apprehended

A more formal synonym for "was not captured", often used in legal or official contexts.

escaped capture

Focuses on the subject avoiding being captured rather than the act of capturing itself.

eluded capture

Implies a skillful or cunning avoidance of being captured.

remained at large

Specifically refers to someone not being captured after an event such as a crime.

was not filmed

Specifically indicates that something was not recorded using a camera.

was not documented

Similar to 'went unrecorded', emphasizing the lack of formal record.

slipped through the net

Suggests a failure to capture something due to oversight or a flawed system.

went unrecorded

Indicates that something was not documented or registered.

avoided detection

Focuses on the act of successfully avoiding being found or noticed.

was missed

A simpler way to say something wasn't captured, often in the context of data or observation.

FAQs

How can I use "was not captured" in a sentence?

You can use "was not captured" to indicate that something or someone avoided being caught, recorded, or documented. For example, "The suspect "was not captured" by the police", or "The subtle nuance "was not captured" in the initial analysis".

What are some alternatives to "was not captured"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "eluded capture", "remained at large", or "went unrecorded".

Is it correct to say "wasn't captured"?

Yes, "wasn't captured" is a contraction of "was not captured" and is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts. However, in formal writing, it is generally preferred to use the full form: "was not captured".

What's the difference between "was not captured" and "did not capture"?

"Was not captured" is in the passive voice, indicating that something or someone was not successfully caught or recorded by an unspecified agent. "Did not capture" is in the active voice, indicating that a specific agent failed to catch or record something. For example, 'The bird "was not captured"' (passive) versus 'The photographer "did not capture" the bird' (active).