is lost is a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is lost is a" is not correct and usable in written English.
It appears to be a fragment and lacks clarity or context, making it difficult to determine its intended meaning. Example: "The treasure is lost is a common theme in adventure stories."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

His Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, said it was time to "put the past behind us" and declared: "Each life that is lost is a human tragedy.

The New York Times

"I think we did well, but that back-and-forth contributes to the sense that every day is Election Day, and what is lost is a sense of what is actually transcendent and will end up mattering".

The New York Times

The Station Blackout (SBO) scenario, in which all the external power is lost, is a reference to the simulation of a severe accident initiating event.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

(Which is not to say, of course, that intervention in such cases might not, in the end, be justified; only that something is lost when it is engaged in, and what is lost is a degree of interpersonal respect we owe each other).

SEP

JC Chandor's All Is Lost is a quasi-silent movie, or perhaps rather quasi-mute, portraying the ordeal of a lone sailor in a desperate situation: he is played with grizzled impassivity by the 77-year-old Robert Redford.

The Guardian - Film

In a way, All Is Lost is a product of the success of the Sundance Institute and Sundance Film Festival, which Redford spent most of the 1980s and 1990s building and protecting, at the expense of his own acting and directing career.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But what is lost is an object that, like all vintage prints, has acquired a life of its own over the years.

The New York Times - Arts

Seeking for things that are lost is a preoccupation.

The Guardian - Books

"What was lost is a sense of community," he said.

The New York Times

Given that pot is also legal and potent here, being lost is a natural.

The New York Times

What also has been lost is a sense of anthropology's original mission.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is being lost. For example, instead of just saying "something "is lost is a" concern", specify what constitutes the loss: "If our data is lost, it is a major security concern".

Common error

Avoid using this phrase as a standalone statement. It often requires additional context to clarify what exactly "is lost", making the sentence more meaningful. Vague sentences could confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is lost is a" functions as part of a clause that typically requires completion to express a full thought. As Ludwig AI indicates, it often needs further context to clarify what specifically "is lost".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is lost is a" is an interesting case study in grammar and usage. While it appears in a variety of sources, including news and media, science, and wiki entries, its grammatical correctness is questionable, as pointed out by Ludwig. This phrase often forms part of a larger clause, requiring additional context to clarify what specifically "is lost". Because of the incomplete nature of the expression, it’s often better to use alternatives that fully express your idea, like "what "is lost is"" or rephrasing to emphasize what has been lost. Ensure that your writing is clear by providing full context and considering whether more grammatically sound alternatives might better serve your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is lost, it is a

Adds a pronoun to the start of the clause, improving its structure.

what is lost is

Focuses on what specifically is being lost, creating a more complete thought.

that is lost is a

Similar to the original but begins with "that" for emphasis or clarification.

being lost is a

Changes the verb form to gerund, which might fit better depending on the sentence structure.

something lost is a

Rearranges the phrase to emphasize the "something" that is lost.

once lost always a

Transforms the phrase into a fixed expression that focuses on the permanent state of being lost.

everything that is lost is

Highlights all elements that may be lost.

all what is lost is

Emphasis on "all" that is lost.

what could be lost is

Changes the modality, introducing the possibility of something being lost.

part that is lost is

Focuses the phrase on a particular part that experiences loss

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is lost is a" to improve clarity?

Consider alternatives like "what "is lost is"" or "the loss involves" to provide more context and make your meaning clearer.

Is "is lost is a" grammatically correct in formal writing?

Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically questionable. In formal writing, it's best to opt for more precise and structurally sound alternatives.

What are some common situations where I might encounter the phrase "is lost is a"?

You may find it in informal contexts or spoken language where grammatical precision is less emphasized. However, its use should be carefully considered to avoid ambiguity.

What's the difference between saying "what is lost is a" versus "what's lost is a"?

The contraction "what's" makes the sentence slightly more informal but doesn't fundamentally change the meaning. Both phrases still require a clear subject following ""is lost is"" to be grammatically complete.