went undetected

USAGE SUMMARY

"went undetected" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means that something was not discovered, noticed, or found out. It can be used in various contexts, such as describing a mistake or error that was not noticed, a crime that was not caught, or a hidden problem that was not uncovered. Example: The virus went undetected for weeks, causing a widespread outbreak before anyone realized it was there. Other examples: - Despite his efforts to conceal his emotions, the sadness in his eyes did not go undetected by his mother. - The incorrect data entry went undetected until it was too late to fix the mistake. - The thief managed to sneak out of the building and escape, leaving the stolen jewels undetected. - Due to its clever disguise, the spy's true identity went undetected by the enemy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The violation went undetected.

The New York Times

For years they went undetected.

The Economist

Many more probably went undetected.

The Economist

That may explain why it went undetected.

The New York Times

But his mental illness went undetected.

The New York Times

Such a massive intrusion and it went undetected".

The New York Times

She took his advice, and her religion went undetected.

The New York Times

There have been no last-second surges that went undetected.

The Guardian - Opinion

And of those that did die in oil, how many went undetected?

Yale University

Mr. Obama this month presented his government's findings on how the plot went undetected.

The New York Times

(This, of course, assumes that the attack went undetected and that no one received treatment).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "went undetected", ensure the context clearly indicates what or who failed to detect the subject. This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid chaining passive voice constructions. Instead of writing "The error went undetected and was not corrected", opt for a more direct phrasing like "No one detected and corrected the error".

Linguistic Context

Went undetected functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of non-detection. It typically describes a situation where something that should have been noticed or discovered was not. Ludwig AI validates this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "went undetected" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that signifies a failure in detection. Ludwig AI confirms this, as demonstrated by the numerous examples across diverse contexts. Its usage spans from formal scientific reports to news articles, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. When employing this phrase, clarity regarding who or what failed to detect something is crucial. Alternatives such as "remained unnoticed" or "escaped detection" offer nuanced variations, allowing writers to fine-tune their message for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained unnoticed

Focuses on the lack of attention or observation.

passed unnoticed

Highlights the act of something happening without being observed.

was not discovered

Emphasizes the absence of finding something.

escaped detection

Suggests an active avoidance of being found.

was not observed

Focuses on the lack of visual or sensory perception.

slipped through the cracks

Implies a failure in a system that should have caught it.

was overlooked

Highlights a conscious or unconscious failure to notice.

evaded scrutiny

Emphasizes the avoidance of close examination.

was not identified

Focuses on the absence of recognition or classification.

bypassed monitoring

Highlights the failure of a monitoring system to detect something.

FAQs

How can I use "went undetected" in a sentence?

Use "went undetected" to indicate that something was not noticed or discovered. For example, "The flaw in the security system "went undetected" for months."

What are some alternatives to using "went undetected"?

Alternatives include "remained unnoticed", "was not discovered", or "escaped detection depending" on the nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when something "went undetected"?

It means that something was present or occurring but was not noticed, found, or identified by anyone or any system that should have detected it.

Is it better to say "went undetected" or "was not detected"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "went undetected" often implies a process or period during which something could have been found but wasn't. "Was not detected" is a more direct statement of the fact that something wasn't found. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.