was not known

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not known" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was previously unfamiliar or undisclosed. Example: "The identity of the author was not known until the book was published."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The price was not known.

The New York Times

The motive was not known.

The New York Times

Her condition was not known.

The New York Times

The cause was not known.

The New York Times

It was not known it was related.

The New York Times

His military rank was not known.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Taylor is not known.

Columbia University

The reason is not known.

The New York Times - Health

Their conditions are not known.

The New York Times

Precisely where is not known.

The New York Times

Their identities were not known.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not known" when you want to emphasize that information was genuinely unavailable or undiscovered at a specific point in time. It provides a sense of objective uncertainty rather than subjective doubt.

Common error

Avoid using "was not known" excessively, as it can make your writing sound passive and less engaging. Consider rephrasing with an active voice construction if appropriate for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not known" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something lacked awareness or recognition. As Ludwig AI states, the expression is correct and usable in written English. It is used to convey that information was previously unavailable or undisclosed, indicating a state of uncertainty or lack of knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

26%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not known" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that indicates a lack of knowledge or awareness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is appropriate in written English. It's commonly found in formal contexts like news reports, scientific papers, and academic texts. While versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider active voice alternatives for more direct communication. Rephrasing options such as "remained unknown" or "was unascertained" can add nuance and formality to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained unknown

Emphasizes the persistence of the lack of knowledge.

was uncertain

Focuses on the doubt or lack of certainty surrounding something.

was undetermined

Highlights the fact that a decision or conclusion has not yet been reached.

was unrevealed

Implies that something was hidden or not disclosed.

was undisclosed

Similar to "unrevealed", but suggests a more deliberate withholding of information.

was unascertained

Highlights the difficulty or impossibility of finding something out.

was not established

Indicates that something has not been proven or confirmed.

information was lacking

Focuses on the absence of the necessary details.

the answer was unclear

Emphasizes the ambiguity or vagueness of a situation.

nothing was known

Emphasizes the totality of the absence of knowledge.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was not known" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "remained unknown" or "was not ascertained". These options often suit academic or professional contexts better.

What's the difference between "was unknown" and "was not known"?

While similar, "was unknown" suggests a state of being generally unrecognized, whereas "was not known" implies that the knowledge wasn't available to someone or a group at a specific time.

Is it ever incorrect to use "was not known"?

While grammatically correct, using "was not known" can sometimes sound awkward if a more direct phrasing is possible. For example, instead of "The answer was not known by anyone", you could say "Nobody knew the answer".

What are some common contexts where "was not known" is used?

"Was not known" frequently appears in news reports, scientific articles, and historical accounts to describe situations where information was unavailable or uncertain at a particular time. For example, "The cause of the fire "was not known" at the time of the report".