been lost to time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been lost to time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been forgotten or is no longer remembered due to the passage of time. Example: "Many ancient civilizations have left behind artifacts that tell their stories, but some of their knowledge has been lost to time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Has it been lost to time?

The New York Times

Most articles of clothing would have been lost to time.

The New York Times

Many critical details have been lost to time.

The Washington Post

That picture also shows another detail that might otherwise have been lost to time: an awning.

The New York Times

Some cemeteries have been lost to time; others have been rediscovered.

The New York Times

Many of the world's traditional navigation systems have been lost to time or replaced with technology.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Sadly, the original 1746 charter is lost to time.

Princeton University

The pungent truths of Storyville are lost to time.

The New Yorker

"The rest were lost to time and tide," he said.

The New York Times

Then, somehow or another, it was lost to time.

The New Yorker

But the voice of the college-age JFK was lost to time — until now.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been lost to time" to describe historical details, forgotten traditions, or pieces of information that are no longer accessible or remembered due to the passage of time. It adds a sense of mystery or irretrievability.

Common error

Avoid using "been lost to time" for recent events or information that is merely misplaced or temporarily forgotten. This phrase is most effective when referring to things genuinely irretrievable from the distant past, not just temporarily unavailable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been lost to time" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something has been forgotten or irretrievable due to the passage of time. As Ludwig AI reports, it is used to describe something that has been forgotten or is no longer remembered.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been lost to time" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something forgotten or irretrievable due to the passage of time. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. Its presence is notably strong in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. Alternative phrases like "vanished into obscurity" or "fallen into oblivion" offer similar meanings. When using "been lost to time", remember to reserve it for genuinely irretrievable information from the distant past to maintain its intended effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fallen into oblivion

Highlights a state of being completely forgotten or unknown.

passed into oblivion

Similar to "fallen into oblivion", but with a sense of natural progression.

faded from memory

Focuses on the gradual disappearance from people's recollections.

sunk into oblivion

Similar to fallen/passed into oblivion. It emphasizes the completeness of the oblivion and irreversibility of the event.

vanished into obscurity

Emphasizes the disappearance and lack of recognition over time.

lapsed into obscurity

Similar to vanished into obscurity, but it highlights a process that happens slowly and gradually over time.

become a distant memory

Emphasizes the remoteness and vagueness of the memory.

passed out of mind

Directly indicates forgetting something from one's thoughts.

relegated to history

Emphasizes the act of moving something into historical records, often implying a loss of relevance.

consigned to the past

Suggests a deliberate act of relegating something to history.

FAQs

What does it mean when something has "been lost to time"?

It means that details, knowledge, or items are no longer accessible or remembered because of the long passage of time. It suggests a sense of irretrievability and forgotten history.

How can I use "been lost to time" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe anything from forgotten recipes to lost civilizations. For example, "The original recipe for this ancient dish has "been lost to time", but we can try to recreate it based on available evidence."

What are some alternatives to saying "been lost to time"?

Alternatives include "vanished into obscurity", "faded from memory", or "fallen into oblivion". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "been lost to time" the same as "lost in history"?

While similar, "been lost to time" emphasizes the role of time in the forgetting, while "lost in history" focuses on the historical record. You might say a detail has "been lost to time" because no historical records exist, or it was simply forgotten over the years.