was not returned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not returned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something, such as a message, item, or response, has not been sent back or given back. Example: "The book I lent to my friend was not returned, and now I have to ask for it back."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The call was not returned.

The New York Times

My first call was not returned.

The New York Times

Clipper Corp. box was not returned.

The New York Times

Ransom was paid, but the baby was not returned.

Princeton University

A request for comment from SeaWorld was not returned.

The New York Times

A message seeking comment from this account was not returned.

The Washington Post

A call to Mr. Grauer's home yesterday was not returned.

The New York Times

A telephone call to Ms. Smith was not returned.

The New York Times - Books

A message left to Infowars's media hotline was not returned.

The Washington Post

A message left at his office yesterday was not returned.

The New York Times

A phone call to her was not returned.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not returned" in contexts where you want to emphasize that something was expected back but did not come back, either physically or metaphorically. For example, "The email I sent to customer service "was not returned", so I had to call them."

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice constructions like "was not returned" when active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The call "was not returned"", consider "They didn't return the call".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not returned" functions as a passive construction indicating the absence of a return action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, showcasing its function across diverse contexts, from unreturned calls to unreturned items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not returned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that conveys the absence of a return action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears predominantly in news and media, academia, and science. While appropriate for neutral and professional settings, it is less common in formal business contexts. To enhance clarity and impact, consider replacing it with active voice constructions or alternatives like "was not restored" or "remained unreturned" when suitable. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively use "was not returned" to communicate the lack of restitution in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not restored

Emphasizes the lack of restoration to a previous condition or position.

was not given back

Emphasizes the lack of a return action, focusing on giving.

was not handed back

Highlights the absence of a physical return.

was not sent back

Highlights the absence of something that was shipped previously.

remained unreturned

Emphasizes the continuing state of not being returned.

was not refunded

Focuses on the failure to reimburse money.

was not paid back

Indicates the lack of repayment of a debt or loan.

was not replaced

Indicates the absence of something that can act in place of the original.

never came back

Highlights the complete absence of a return.

did not revert

Focuses on the absence of a reversal to a previous state.

FAQs

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

You can use "was not returned" to indicate that something that was expected to be given back did not come back. For example: "The money I lent him "was not returned" on time."

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

You can use alternatives like "was not restored", "was not handed back", or "remained unreturned" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "was not returned" or "didn't return"?

The choice depends on the context and desired emphasis. "Was not returned" is passive, focusing on the object not being returned, while "didn't return" is active, focusing on the person who failed to return it. For example, "The message "was not returned"" versus "They didn't return the message".

What's the difference between "was not returned" and "was not refunded"?

"Was not returned" generally refers to a physical item or a message, while "was not refunded" specifically refers to money that should have been reimbursed.