were not located

USAGE SUMMARY

'were not located' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that could not be found or could not be located. Example: The missing documents were not located.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sopko noted that "13 coordinates were not located within Afghanistan," while another 13 of the locations were duplicates of other sites; 189 locations did not correspond to any health structures within 400 feet of the geotag.

Vice

Except for M = C, σ-bonded isomers were not located for 1,3-σ-diradicals.

Tetrahedron Letters

Other materials described in the journal, including gun powder, butane and fuses, were not located.

The New York Times

Surprisingly, we also observed the presence of macrophage-like cells with a phenotype highly similar to AM but that were not located in the alveoli.

Nature

In addition, most of the affordable units that were built recently were not located in neighborhoods with the resources and amenities to support healthy families.

University of California, Berkeley

These mutations were difficult to find in DNA at first because they were not located in the part of the gene that encodes the protein.

The New York Times - Science

To distinguish bystander growth from spontaneously occurring regeneration, only rays that were not located directly adjacent to escapers, to re-amputated, or to epidermally injured rays were considered for the analysis of regeneration of non-injured rays.

Nature

In a first description of AM-like cells, we demonstrated that these cells were not located in the alveoli, and that our broncho-alveolar lavage procedure avoids the contamination of the parenchymal cell preparation by AM4.

Nature

These methanol molecules are disordered and consequently their H atoms were not located.

Chemistry Central Journal

The line was used prior to this latest incident - not least to ensure that Russian army personnel were not located in the target zone.

BBC

This result confirms the SEM findings that the nucleation sites for ZnO particles were not located on the FTO film's surface.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were not located" in formal writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what efforts were made to locate the subject. This adds credibility and thoroughness to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "were not located" when you mean "were misplaced" or "were simply out of sight". "Were not located" implies a more extensive search effort, not just a casual inability to find something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not located" functions primarily as a declarative statement, indicating the absence or inability to find something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is commonly used to report the outcome of a search or investigation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

32%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were not located" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something could not be found. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and academic writing. While alternatives like "could not be found" or "remained unlocated" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use the phrase when an active search effort has been undertaken, and not just for simple misplacement. Its frequency and broad applicability make it a reliable choice for expressing the absence of something after a search.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could not be found

Replaces 'were' with 'could', changing the tense and implying a possibility rather than a statement of fact.

could not be identified

Focuses on the lack of identification, implying a more specific failure to recognize something.

remained unlocated

Uses an adjective form, 'unlocated', to describe the state of something not being found.

were unable to be found

Emphasizes the inability to find something, adding more directness to the sentence.

were not detected

Suggests that something was present but undetectable, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

were missing

A simpler and more direct way to state that something is not present or has disappeared.

were not present

States the absence of something in a specific location or context.

were untraceable

Indicates that something could not be traced or followed, often used in investigative contexts.

were undiscovered

Implies that something exists but has not yet been found or revealed.

escaped detection

Highlights the act of avoiding detection, often implying a deliberate attempt to remain hidden.

FAQs

How can I use "were not located" in a sentence?

Use "were not located" to indicate that something or someone could not be found after a search or investigation. For instance, "The missing documents "were not located" after an extensive search of the office."

What are some alternatives to "were not located"?

Some alternatives include "could not be found", "remained unlocated", or "were missing". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "could not be located" instead of "were not located"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Could not be located" suggests a possibility or potential inability, while "were not located" states a fact that something was not found. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

Can "were not located" apply to abstract concepts or only physical objects?

While typically used for physical objects or places, "were not located" can also apply to abstract concepts in certain contexts, such as data or information. For example, "The relevant research findings "were not located" in the initial database search."