was undetectable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was undetectable" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing something that could not be discovered or identified. Example: The virus was undetectable in the initial tests. Alternative expressions include "could not be detected" and "was imperceptible."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The number from Twitter was undetectable.

The New York Times

"All we knew, or thought, was that it was undetectable.

The Guardian - Sport

It was undetectable in drug tests until this summer.

The New York Times - Sports

It was undetectable, but now it's coming out.

The New York Times - Sports

The cod and oysters overwhelmed the apple taste, and the prosecco was undetectable.

The New York Times - Travel

It said the missile -- which it called a "super-modern flying boat" -- was undetectable by radar.

The New York Times

But if there was any lingering tension between the two men, it was undetectable.

The New York Times

TNF-α was undetectable.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

In guinea pigs, this odor was undetectable.

Science Magazine

Its weight change was undetectable (< 0.1 mg).

Nanoscale Research Letters

Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) was undetectable.

Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was undetectable", ensure the context clearly specifies what method or instrument failed to detect it. For example, "The virus was undetectable by standard PCR tests."

Common error

Avoid using "was undetectable" without specifying the detection method or time frame, as this can lead to confusion. Instead of saying "The change was undetectable", specify "The change was undetectable during the initial observation period".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was undetectable" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a noun as being impossible to detect. As Ludwig AI shows, this often occurs in scientific and technical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

78%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was undetectable" is a grammatically sound phrase, commonly used in scientific and news contexts to indicate the absence of detection. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalent usage across various sources. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specify the detection method to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "could not be detected" or "was imperceptible" offer similar meanings, suitable for different nuances. The phrase maintains a formal and neutral tone, making it appropriate for technical and factual reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could not be detected

Replaces "was undetectable" with a more explicit description of the lack of detection.

was imperceptible

Emphasizes the lack of perceivability, suggesting it was too subtle to be noticed.

was unnoticeable

Highlights the absence of anything drawing attention to it.

evaded detection

Focuses on the action of avoiding being detected.

went unnoticed

Indicates a lack of attention or recognition.

was beyond detection

Stresses the impossibility of detecting it with current methods.

was indiscernible

Implies that it was impossible to distinguish or differentiate.

remained unseen

Highlights the lack of visual detection.

escaped notice

Similar to 'went unnoticed' but emphasizes the act of escaping attention.

defied identification

Focuses on the impossibility of identifying what it was.

FAQs

How can I use "was undetectable" in a sentence?

You can use "was undetectable" to describe something that could not be found or measured. For instance, "The trace amount of the substance was undetectable in the sample".

What are some alternatives to "was undetectable"?

Alternatives include "could not be detected", "was imperceptible", or "went unnoticed", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more formal to say "was undetectable" or "could not be detected"?

"Was undetectable" and "could not be detected" are generally interchangeable in terms of formality. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.

What's the difference between "was undetectable" and "was invisible"?

"Was undetectable" implies an inability to find or measure something, regardless of whether it's visible. "Was invisible" specifically refers to the inability to see something.