was not detected

USAGE SUMMARY

"was not detected" is a grammatically correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
You can use it when talking about something that was not found or noticed. Example: The virus was not detected during the initial scan, but a more thorough examination revealed its presence.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

CD45 was not detected.

Nature

Giardia was not detected.

Water Research

B. burgdorferi was not detected.

Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports

Pit propagation was not detected.

Electrochimica Acta

Octn3 was not detected in the heart.

Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics

Trans10,cis12-18 2 was not detected.

Animal Feed Science and Technology

Anaplasma phagocytophilum was not detected in cattle.

Infection, Genetics and Evolution

Benzene was not detected at three perimeter locations.

Yale University

Alizarin was not detected.

Heritage Science

PCP was not detected.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Fusion inhibiting antibody was not detected.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing scientific reports, clearly state what you were looking for and under what conditions the substance or phenomenon "was not detected". This provides context and strengthens the validity of your findings.

Common error

Avoid stating definitively that something is impossible or non-existent simply because it "was not detected" in a specific experiment. Acknowledge the limitations of your methods and the possibility that the substance or phenomenon could exist under different conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not detected" functions as a passive voice construction indicating the absence of something that was being sought. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used. It's primarily used to report a negative finding or the lack of evidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

98%

Academia

2%

News & Media

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was not detected" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, particularly in scientific and academic writing. Its primary function is to report the absence of a specific substance, signal, or phenomenon. Given its prevalent usage in formal contexts, it is important to clearly specify the methods used and acknowledge any limitations in the detection process. While alternative phrases like "went undetected" or "could not be found" exist, "was not detected" provides a specific indication that a systematic search occurred, contributing to the overall clarity and precision of scientific communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not identified

This alternative highlights that something's identity or nature remained unknown.

was absent

This alternative is a simpler way of stating that something was not present.

went undetected

This alternative suggests that something was present but remained unnoticed or unobserved.

was unobserved

Similar to "went undetected", this emphasizes that something was not seen or noticed.

yielded negative results

This alternative is commonly used in scientific or medical contexts to indicate that a test or experiment did not find what was being looked for.

proved negative

Similar to "yielded negative results", this indicates that a test or analysis did not confirm the presence of something.

could not be found

This alternative emphasizes the inability to locate or discover something, suggesting a search was conducted.

failed to register

This alternative suggests that something did not appear on a measuring device or recording.

showed no signs of

This alternative indicates that there was no evidence or indication of something's presence.

turned up empty

This idiom implies that a search or investigation failed to find anything.

FAQs

What does "was not detected" mean?

The phrase "was not detected" indicates that something was searched for or tested, but no evidence of it was found. It suggests an absence or a failure to identify something within the scope of the search or test.

What can I say instead of "was not detected"?

You can use alternatives like "went undetected", "could not be found", or "was absent" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "was not detected" or "was undetectable"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "was not detected" focuses on the action of detection, while "was undetectable" focuses on the inherent quality of being impossible to detect. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the search process or the object's properties.

How is "was not detected" used in scientific writing?

In scientific writing, "was not detected" is used to report that a specific substance, signal, or phenomenon was not found during an experiment or analysis. It's a common way to present negative results or indicate the absence of something expected or hypothesized.