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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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was not recognized

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not recognized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something or someone was not acknowledged or identified in a particular context. Example: "The new software update was not recognized by the system, causing it to malfunction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was not recognized by the markets".

News & Media

The New York Times

The load imbalance was not recognized.

That defense was not recognized as valid.

Until 2000, divorce was not recognized on Sark.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"She was not recognized by anyone in Cannes.

News & Media

The New York Times

The first human case was not recognized until 1957.

News & Media

The New York Times

"This created a problem exactly because it was not recognized.

News & Media

The New York Times

But he was not recognized by the victims.

News & Media

The New York Times

Marked by widespread fraud, the election was not recognized by the United States and Europe.

News & Media

The New York Times

He added that a Florida permit was not recognized in New Jersey.

This title, however, was not recognized by the Habsburg powers or by the other Italian duchies.

Encyclopedias

Britannica
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not recognized" to clearly indicate a lack of acknowledgment, identification, or acceptance in various contexts. It's suitable for both formal and informal writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "was not recognized" in excessively passive constructions, as it can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Consider rephrasing the sentence to use an active voice where appropriate.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not recognized" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject did not receive acknowledgement, identification, or awareness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was not recognized" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies a lack of acknowledgement, identification, or awareness. It is grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, and frequently appears in diverse contexts ranging from news and media to science and encyclopedias. Alternatives such as "was not identified" or "went unnoticed" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When writing, be mindful of avoiding overuse in passive constructions. This expression, found frequently across varied sources like The New York Times and Britannica, is therefore a key component of both formal and informal English.

FAQs

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

You can use "was not recognized" to indicate a lack of acknowledgement or identification. For example, "The importance of early detection "was not recognized" until recently".

What are some alternatives to "was not recognized"?

Some alternatives include "was not identified", "was not acknowledged", or "went unnoticed", depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "wasn't recognized" is the contracted form of "was not recognized" and is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts.

What's the difference between "was not recognized" and "was not identified"?

"Was not recognized" implies a lack of acknowledgement or appreciation, while "was not identified" suggests a failure to determine what something is. For example, a symptom might "was not recognized" as important, while a specific pathogen "was not identified" as the cause of the disease.

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Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: