is lost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is lost" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used as part of the passive voice to describe something that has been misplaced or cannot be found. Example: "The key to the safe is lost, and we need to find it before the meeting tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— is lost.

The New York Times - Arts

All is lost, all is lost.

The New Yorker

What's lost is lost".

The New York Times - Food

Evidence is lost.

The New York Times

Bree is lost.

Independent

All is lost.

The New Yorker

Their cause is lost.

The New York Times

He is lost.

The New Yorker

Discipline is lost.

The Economist

The text is lost.

The New York Times - Arts

No, it is lost.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is lost", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "Hope is lost", specify "All hope is lost" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "is lost" with plural subjects. The correct form for a plural subject is "are lost". For example, instead of "The keys is lost", use "The keys are lost".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is lost" primarily functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice, indicating a state of being where something has been misplaced, ruined, or is no longer accessible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

28%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is lost" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate that something is missing, ruined, or no longer available. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the numerous examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its widespread usage across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. When using this phrase, ensure clear subject-verb agreement and consider alternative phrasings like "is missing" or "has vanished" to add nuance or clarity. Avoid misusing it with plural nouns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is gone

A simple way to state something is no longer present.

is missing

Suggests something is not where it should be and cannot be found.

is misplaced

Indicates something put in the wrong place.

has vanished

Indicates a disappearance, often sudden or mysterious.

has disappeared

Indicates that something has ceased to be visible or present.

is unrecoverable

Emphasizes that something cannot be regained or restored.

is irrecoverable

Highlights that something is not capable of being recovered or regained.

is irretrievable

Highlights the impossibility of getting something back.

is ruined

Focuses on the damage or destruction of something.

is forfeited

Implies a loss due to a rule or consequence.

FAQs

What does "is lost" mean?

"Is lost" generally means something cannot be found, has been misplaced, or is no longer available. It can also metaphorically refer to a state of confusion or hopelessness.

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

You can use "is lost" to describe a physical object, like "The key "is lost"", or an abstract concept, such as "All hope "is lost"".

What can I say instead of "is lost"?

You can use alternatives like "is missing", "is gone", or "has vanished" depending on the context.

Is "is lost" the same as "are lost"?

No, "is lost" is used with singular subjects, while "are lost" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The document is lost", but "The documents are lost".