become lost

USAGE SUMMARY

'become lost' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that is used to indicate that something is no longer in a known location or can no longer be found. For example, "The hikers became lost in the dense jungle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Search for your lost pet immediately and continuously if it would become lost.

WikiHow

There they become lost.

The New York Times - Arts

"You can become lost, especially with Magic".

The New York Times

You just become lost in it.

The Guardian

Even the Tunnel Lady can become lost.

The New York Times

But the genetically altered mice become lost.

The New York Times

They become lost; Jun-Hee blames Tanner.

The New Yorker

Pregnant at 14, she could have become lost.

The New York Times

Parents grow angry and distrustful; students become lost and listless.

The New York Times

By Christmas Day we had become lost in the forests.

The Guardian

You will not wander, you will not become lost.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "become lost", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the situation. It's suitable for describing both physical disorientation and metaphorical states of being overwhelmed or out of touch.

Common error

In formal writing, avoid overusing "become lost" if more precise alternatives like "were misplaced" or "became disoriented" are available. This enhances clarity and maintains a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become lost" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a change of state to being unable to find one's way or being misplaced. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which show it describing both physical and metaphorical disorientation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

25%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become lost" is a versatile and frequently used expression that signifies the transition into a state of disorientation or misplacement. As indicated by Ludwig, it functions as a stative verb phrase with a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts ranging from news reports to scientific articles. It’s important to choose more precise alternatives, such as "misplaced" or "disoriented", in more formal writing to improve clarity. With a wide range of applications, from describing physical disorientation to metaphorical states, "become lost" remains a common and effective way to convey a sense of being unable to find one's way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get lost

Emphasizes the action of losing one's way, often implying a temporary state.

lose your way

Highlights the act of deviating from the correct path or direction.

go missing

Implies a more serious situation, suggesting a disappearance that may involve danger or uncertainty.

become disoriented

Focuses on the mental state of confusion and loss of bearings.

be mislaid

Focuses on the accidental displacement of an object, often implying it will be found later.

wander off

Suggests moving aimlessly away from a location, often leading to being lost.

be misplaced

Similar to 'be mislaid', but can also refer to items filed incorrectly.

get misplaced

Similar to "be misplaced", focuses on the action of misplacing something.

stray

Suggests wandering off course, often used in a metaphorical sense to indicate deviating from a set path or principle.

vanish

Indicates a sudden and complete disappearance, often without explanation.

FAQs

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

You can use "become lost" to describe physical disorientation, as in "The hikers "become lost" in the woods", or metaphorical situations, such as "Important details "become lost" in the discussion".

What are some alternatives to saying "become lost"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "get lost", "go missing", or "lose your way".

Is it correct to say "became lost" instead of "become lost"?

Yes, "became lost" is the past tense of "become lost" and is appropriate when describing a past event. "Become lost" is the base form and is used in present tense or with modal verbs.

What's the difference between "become lost" and "be lost"?

"Become lost" implies a process of losing one's way or becoming disoriented, while "be lost" indicates a current state of being unable to find one's way or being misplaced. For example, "They "become lost" after wandering off the trail" versus "They are lost and need assistance".