without detection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without detection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an event is happening or happened without anyone noticing. For example, "The thief was able to steal the jewels without detection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But others were hardly aware of the hermit living within their midst without detection since 1986.

The Guardian

Probability PF DU (t) represents the probability that PE exceeds AL without detection.

European Transport Research Review

MUC5AC was exclusively detected in both malignant and dysplastic lesions without detection of MUC1 or MUC2.

Annales de Pathologie

Salah Abdelsalam -- the 10th Paris attacker that Belgian police recently captured -- apparently continued living in Brussels for four months without detection.

Huffington Post

Many smaller vessels were believed to have been lost without detection.

The Guardian

Locations without detection devices rely on visual inspections, something that can be difficult.

The New York Times

Above all, how could the spying attributed to him continue for 15 years without detection?

The New York Times

H7N9 does not show symptoms in infected birds, allowing it to spread rapidly without detection.

The Guardian

"The trusted insider betrayed his trust without detection," Mr. Freeh said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

These microscopic worms penetrate the skin without detection and move throughout the body causing severe sickness.

Johns Hopkins University

The streets were named by a group of young planners who hoped to get these names past their supervisor without detection--and succeeded". They had it their way.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without detection" when you want to emphasize that something happened or exists while avoiding notice. It is suitable for formal and informal contexts, providing clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid replacing "without detection" with similar phrases that alter the intended meaning. For instance, substituting it with "undetected" might work, but using "in secret" changes the focus from avoiding detection to the action being secret, which may not be the original intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without detection" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the manner in which an action is performed or a state exists. Ludwig provides examples where it describes how actions occur unnoticed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

24%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without detection" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase functioning as an adverbial modifier. It's used to emphasize that an action or event occurs unnoticed or undiscovered. According to Ludwig, it is accurate and usable in written English. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, as well as in scientific and academic contexts. While the phrase is suitable for both formal and informal writing, it tends to have a more formal tone. Alternatives include "undetected", "unnoticed", or "without being noticed", though these may subtly alter the intended emphasis. Therefore, writers should carefully consider the context to select the most appropriate phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undetected

Single word alternative omitting the preposition.

unnoticed

Focuses on the lack of observation.

without being noticed

More verbose construction emphasizing the act of noticing.

in secrecy

Highlights the hidden nature of the action.

clandestinely

Emphasizes the covert nature of the action.

under the radar

Idiomatic expression indicating something is avoided attention.

unbeknownst to

Focuses on the lack of knowledge of others.

invisibly

Highlights the lack of visibility.

covertly

Emphasizes the secretive manner of the action.

discreetly

Highlights the careful manner of the action to avoid attention.

FAQs

How can I use "without detection" in a sentence?

You can use "without detection" to describe an action that goes unnoticed. For example, "The spy infiltrated the building "without detection"" means no one noticed the spy entering.

What are some alternatives to "without detection"?

Some alternatives include "undetected", "unnoticed", or "without being noticed", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "without detection"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It's a prepositional phrase commonly used to modify verbs or nouns, indicating a lack of detection.

What is the difference between "without detection" and "in secret"?

"Without detection" emphasizes that an action was not noticed, while "in secret" emphasizes the secretive nature of the action itself. While sometimes interchangeable, they have subtly different connotations.