could be lost

USAGE SUMMARY

'could be lost' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that something may be lost or missed if certain conditions are not met. For example: "Without effective conservation and management, the unique biodiversity of the rainforest could be lost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All of our knowledge could be lost.

The New York Times

"This project is about the Patagonia that could be lost".

The New Yorker

If that happens, the White House could be lost.

The Economist

If the site went down, significant data could be lost.

The New York Times - Magazine

Now, some believe, that hard-earned security could be lost.

The New York Times

Coordination with the Palestinian security officials could be lost.

The New York Times

It could be lost in a single generation.

The New Yorker

Tens of thousands of homes could be lost.

The Guardian

The ACTU estimates $21bn could be lost from the economy.

The Guardian - Business

They worry that much of their gains could be lost.

The New York Times

The spaciousness and the spirit could be lost.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase in formal writing, consider the tone and make sure the context is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "could be lost" when you mean something will definitely be lost. The phrase implies a possibility, not a certainty. For example, instead of "The data could be lost", if the system has already failed, say "The data is lost."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be lost" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing a possibility or potential outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and used to suggest that something might disappear, be misplaced, or wasted under certain conditions. This is confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be lost" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the possibility of something being misplaced, wasted, or forfeited. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal communications. To ensure clarity, provide specific conditions under which the loss might occur. While versatile, remember to avoid it when describing an already confirmed loss; instead, use "is lost" or a similar definitive statement. This usage of "could be lost" effectively conveys potential risks or consequences in a clear and professional manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is potentially lost

This emphasizes the potential risk of loss, stating it as a possibility.

are potentially lost

Highlights a possible loss affecting multiple items or aspects.

could become lost

Adds a sense of gradual disappearance or displacement.

could get lost

This emphasizes the action of losing something in more informal way.

could be forfeited

Focuses on the potential loss of something as a penalty or consequence.

could be wasted

This suggests that something valuable might not be used effectively.

could be forgone

Indicates that something might be voluntarily given up or sacrificed.

could be foregone

Similar to 'forgone', suggesting a deliberate decision to omit something.

could be squandered

Emphasizes the careless and foolish loss of something.

could be spoilt

Highlights the potential for something to be ruined or corrupted.

FAQs

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

Use "could be lost" to indicate a possibility of something being misplaced, wasted, or forfeited if certain conditions aren't met. For example, "If we don't act now, valuable historical data "could be lost" forever."

What are some alternatives to saying "could be lost"?

You can use alternatives like "could be wasted", "is potentially lost", or "could become lost" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "could be lost" and "is lost"?

"Could be lost" suggests a possibility or risk of loss, whereas "is lost" indicates that the loss has already occurred. The first is hypothetical; the second is a statement of fact.

When is it appropriate to use "could be lost" in formal writing?

It's appropriate when you want to convey a sense of risk or potential negative outcome without stating it as a certainty. The context should be professional or academic, depending on the content.