about having lost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about having lost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing feelings or thoughts related to the experience of loss, often in a reflective or analytical context. Example: "She wrote a poem about having lost her childhood innocence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The Doctor told Father Cieslik about having lost his glasses and said that his eyes bothered him.

The New Yorker

Sanders was about having lost.

The Guardian

But there is nothing natural about having lost a child.

The New York Times

Q Are you disappointed about having lost out on the chance to buy Filene's Basement?

The New York Times

"His feelings about having lost his black audience" are an important aspect of the play, Mr. Teachout said.

The New York Times

When Mr. Blaine sees himself unlocked from the ice, mumbling about having lost his mind, tears come to his eyes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Currently Adani Power has debts of about $US7.4bn, having lost $US927m last year and $US317m this year.

The Guardian

Another said she was, "very concerned about not having lost the weight".

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Mr. Kassem said each reported having lost about 30 pounds.

The New York Times

The way we write about war has lost its innocence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of the 50,000 workers, about 12,000 have lost their jobs, association and Government officials say.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about having lost" to express reflection on a past experience of loss, providing context or explaining resulting emotions. For example, "The article was about having lost faith in the system."

Common error

Avoid using "about losing" when you need to emphasize that the loss has already occurred and is a completed action. "About having lost" correctly indicates a past perfect action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about having lost" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adjective, often modifying a noun or pronoun. It introduces a topic related to a past experience of loss, providing context or background information. Ludwig AI confirms the correct and usable nature of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

13%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about having lost" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for reflecting on or discussing past experiences of loss. As Ludwig AI pointed out, the phrase is appropriate across a range of contexts, especially in news, media, and personal storytelling. While alternative phrases exist, such as "regarding the loss of", the specific choice depends on the desired nuance and level of formality. When writing, it's important to use "about having lost" to emphasize that the loss has already occurred. The phrase occurs most frequently in news and media sources but is also found in wiki and scientific texts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding having forfeited

Replaces 'lost' with 'forfeited', implying a loss due to a specific action or inaction; more formal.

concerning the forfeiture of

Substitutes the gerund phrase with a more formal noun phrase, emphasizing the act of losing something.

reflecting on relinquishing

Replaces 'about' with 'reflecting on', focusing on introspection about giving something up willingly or unwillingly.

thinking about the deprivation of

Emphasizes the state of being deprived of something, adding a sense of hardship or injustice.

considering having been bereaved of

Highlights the sense of grief and loss associated with bereavement, suitable for emotional or solemn contexts.

lamenting the disappearance of

Focuses on the sadness and regret associated with something vanishing or ceasing to exist.

regretting having misplaced

Implies a loss due to carelessness or negligence, suitable for situations where something was lost accidentally.

worrying about misplacing

Emphasizes the feeling of concern and anxiety about the potential for losing something.

concerned about squandering

Suggests a loss through wasteful or reckless spending or use.

considering the erosion of

Focuses on a gradual loss or decline over time, emphasizing the process of deterioration.

FAQs

How can I use "about having lost" in a sentence?

You can use "about having lost" to reflect on a completed experience of loss, often followed by an explanation of feelings or consequences. For example, "The documentary was "about having lost" their home in the fire".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "about having lost"?

Alternatives include phrases like "regarding the loss of", "concerning the forfeiture of", or "reflecting on relinquishing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. See also "regarding the loss".

Is it correct to say "about losing" instead of "about having lost"?

While "about losing" is grammatically correct in some contexts, "about having lost" emphasizes a completed action or a past experience of loss. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the completed nature of the loss. For example "I had a dream "about losing" my keys again." vs "The book was "about having lost" my keys last week."

What's the difference between "about having lost" and "due to losing"?

"About having lost" typically introduces a topic or reflection on a past loss, while "due to losing" explains the cause or reason for something based on that loss. For example, "The story was "about having lost" the game" (topic) versus "They felt sad "due to losing" the game" (reason).