be lost

USAGE SUMMARY

"be lost" can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate something that has gone missing or cannot be found or understood. For example, "The key to the office had been lost in the move and was nowhere to be found."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Friends will be lost.

The New York Times

What would be lost?

The New Yorker

All would be lost.

The New York Times

"Jobs will be lost.

The New York Times

Nothing can be lost.

The New York Times

That will be lost".

Independent

"We'd be lost without him".

The New York Times - Sports

Otherwise, trust will be lost.

The New York Times

It can never be lost.

The New York Times - Magazine

Businesses will probably be lost".

The New York Times

"The franchise would be lost.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be lost" to describe an emotional state, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to confusion, sadness, or another related feeling. For example: "I'll "be lost" without you means that you will be feeling sad when this person is not with you.

Common error

Avoid using "be lost" in overly passive constructions where the actor is unclear. Instead of saying "The opportunity was lost", consider "They lost the opportunity" for more direct and impactful writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be lost" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of being either physically misplaced, emotionally disoriented, or figuratively ruined. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a valid and commonly used phrase. Examples include "Friends will be lost" and "Homes will be lost".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

15%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be lost" is a versatile verb phrase commonly used to express physical displacement, emotional confusion, or figurative ruin. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki sources, its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts. When writing, ensure clarity in expressing the intended meaning, whether it refers to a physical state, an emotional condition, or a lost opportunity. Avoid overly passive constructions for stronger, more direct communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become disoriented

Focuses on the feeling of losing direction or sense of place.

get confused

Focuses on the mental state of bewilderment or lack of clarity.

become ruined

Emphasizes the state of destruction or irreversible damage.

go astray

Implies a deviation from the correct path, either physically or morally.

become unintelligible

Highlights the lack of understanding or clarity.

get wasted

Indicates that something is not used effectively or is squandered.

be ruined

Implies a state of being damaged or destroyed beyond repair.

be squandered

Highlights the wasteful spending or misuse of resources.

be wasted

Emphasizes that something has been used ineffectively or not at all.

be forfeited

Focuses on losing something as a penalty or consequence.

FAQs

How can I use "be lost" in a sentence?

You can use "be lost" to describe something that cannot be found (e.g., "The keys "seem to be lost""), someone who does not know where they are (e.g., "I "might be lost""), or an opportunity that has disappeared (e.g., "The chance "will be lost"").

What does it mean when someone says "I'm lost"?

When someone says "I'm lost", it typically means they are disoriented and don't know where they are. It can also metaphorically mean they are confused or unsure about something.

What are some synonyms for "be lost"?

Some synonyms for "be lost" include "be disoriented", "be confused", "be ruined", or "go astray", depending on the context.

How does the meaning of "be lost" change with different contexts?

The meaning of "be lost" varies based on context. Physically, it means not knowing one's location. Emotionally, it suggests confusion or despair. Materially, it implies something is missing or irretrievable. For example, "Data "might be lost"" refers to the data not being available.