was not found

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not found" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is being searched for or referenced but does not exist or cannot be located. Example: "The document you requested was not found in the database."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was not found.

The New York Times

The gun was not found.

The New York Times

The shark was not found.

The New Yorker

Wheatley was not found.

The Guardian

Ms. Blackman was not found for months.

The New York Times - Books

Jason was not found guilty of wrongdoing.

The New York Times

His son's phone was not found.

The New York Times

He was not found guilty of wrongdoing.

The New York Times - Sports

The man was not found.

The New York Times

The boat was not found.

The New York Times

His head was not found.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was not found", ensure the context clearly indicates what was being searched for. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was not found" in overly passive constructions where the actor is unclear. Specify who or what was doing the searching to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not found" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject was the target of a search but could not be located. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not found" is a grammatically correct and versatile passive construction used to indicate that something searched for could not be located. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is very common across diverse contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related writing. While maintaining a neutral register, it effectively conveys the unsuccessful outcome of a search or investigation. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what or who was doing the searching.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could not be located

Emphasizes the inability to pinpoint the location of something.

was unable to be found

Adds a sense of inability or difficulty in finding something.

remained unfound

Highlights the continuous state of being not found.

was not discovered

Focuses on the lack of discovery or uncovering of something.

turned up missing

Suggests something was present but then went missing and wasn't located.

proved elusive

Implies that something was difficult to find, actively avoiding detection.

was nowhere to be seen

Indicates the complete absence of something from view.

escaped detection

Highlights that the object was not detected or noticed.

was absent

Indicates the lack of presence of something.

did not surface

Implies that something was expected to appear but did not.

FAQs

How to use "was not found" in a sentence?

Use "was not found" to indicate that something or someone was searched for but could not be located. For example, "The missing document was not found after an extensive search."

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

You can use alternatives like "could not be located", "remained unfound", or "was not discovered" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "was not found" or "wasn't found"?

Both "was not found" and "wasn't found" are grammatically correct. "Wasn't found" is a contraction and is more informal, while "was not found" is more formal.

Is it better to use "could not find" or "was not found"?

"Could not find" is an active construction that emphasizes the action of searching, while "was not found" is passive and emphasizes the state of being unlocated. The choice depends on whether you want to focus on the searcher or the object being searched for.