can become lost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can become lost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something or someone may lose their way or be unable to find their intended destination. Example: "In the vast wilderness, hikers can become lost if they do not have a map or compass."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"You can become lost, especially with Magic".

The New York Times

Even the Tunnel Lady can become lost.

The New York Times

One fact can become lost in discussions criticizing the Aggregate index: the alternatives carry risk, too.

The New York Times

"At times the reader can become lost in the byways of his imagination," wrote Andrew Holgate in the Sunday Times.

The Guardian - Books

But put them together and the superlatives can become lost in a historic rivalry that often winds up embarrassing both.

The New York Times

In this environment, it's easy to see how a stellar application can become lost in the shuffle.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

You can truly become lost here, in ways both good and bad.

The New York Times - Travel

His enveloping textures are mists in which one can easily become lost, in a way both pleasant and eerie; they have the unnerving potency of dreams.

The New Yorker

Usually, it is inspired by the news of the week, and that means the human beings behind the headlines can sometimes become lost.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, while rewriting consent forms is undoubtedly important in some situations, when it becomes the primary focus of ethics review larger ethical questions can easily become lost.

BMC Medical Ethics

Since you are buying, selling and consigning at once, figures can easily become lost or confusing.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can become lost" to describe a potential situation, ensure the context clearly indicates what or who might lose their way. For instance, specify whether it's a person, an object, or an idea that "can become lost".

Common error

Avoid using "can become lost" in overly broad contexts without specifying the factors that contribute to the potential for getting lost. Without clear context, the statement may lack impact or relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can become lost" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility or potential. It suggests that something has the capacity or likelihood to lose its way, either physically or metaphorically, as illustrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can become lost" is a versatile expression used to indicate the possibility of something being misplaced, forgotten, or diverted from its intended path. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. While alternatives like ""may get lost"" or "might become lost" exist, "can become lost" provides a clear and direct way to express potential for something to be lost, either physically or metaphorically. It's important to provide clear context to avoid overgeneralization and ensure the statement's relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may get lost

Replaces the modal verb "can" with "may", indicating a possibility of getting lost.

might become lost

Substitutes "can" with "might", suggesting a lower probability of getting lost.

could become lost

Uses "could" instead of "can", implying a conditional possibility of losing one's way.

risk getting lost

Emphasizes the risk or danger of becoming lost.

be in danger of getting lost

Highlights the potential hazard associated with losing one's way.

tend to get lost

Suggests a habitual or frequent occurrence of getting lost.

be prone to becoming lost

Indicates a predisposition or inclination towards getting lost.

are susceptible to getting lost

Highlights the vulnerability to the state of getting lost.

can go astray

Replaces "become lost" with "go astray", indicating a deviation from the correct path.

can get disoriented

Focuses on the state of disorientation that often accompanies becoming lost.

FAQs

What does "can become lost" mean?

The phrase "can become lost" indicates that something or someone has the potential to lose its way, be misplaced, or become obscured, either physically or metaphorically.

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

You can use "can become lost" to describe a situation where something might lose its way. For example, "Hikers "may get lost" if they don't follow the trail" or "Important details "might get lost" in the shuffle if not properly documented".

What are some alternatives to saying "can become lost"?

Alternatives include ""may get lost"", "might become lost", or "risk getting lost" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "can become lost" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to express the possibility of something being misplaced, forgotten, or losing its intended direction. This can apply to physical objects, people, information, or even abstract concepts.