is lost upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is lost upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is not understood or appreciated by someone. Example: "The significance of the artwork is lost upon those who do not appreciate modern art."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the charm is lost upon the occasional few.

The New York Times

We find that the characteristic chromatin landscape at Drosophila promoters and enhancers is lost upon replication.

Cell

The reference to the stone's "water" is lost upon most modern jewelry enthusiasts.

The New York Times

Expression of this atypical IGF-I receptor is developmentally regulated; hence this receptor is lost upon terminal differentiation.

Growth Hormone & IGF Research

Price, A. J. et al. Host cofactors and pharmacologic ligands share an essential interface in HIV-1 capsid that is lost upon disassembly.

Nature

The co-localization of these different gene loci is lost upon deleting the lncRNA Firre locus or knocking down hnRNPU.

Protein & Cell

The ultimate effect of these molecules is determined by the intrinsic antioxidant capacity of cancer cells as the cytotoxic potential of these agents is lost upon antioxidant co-treatment [252 254].

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Also, older workers' wages prior to displacement may be high because of firm-specific, industry-specific or task-specific human capital, which is lost upon displacement, causing wage drops especially in case of long job tenure and when switching industries.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

This is presumably due to the aromatic nature of these carbenes, which is lost upon dimerisation.

Wikipedia

From time to time, the need for speed is lost upon certain Boards.

Huffington Post

Their expression is lost upon reprogramming.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is lost upon" when you want to express that someone doesn't understand or appreciate something, often because it's too subtle, complex, or requires specific knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "is lost upon" when you simply mean something is missing or absent. This phrase implies a failure of understanding or appreciation, not just a lack of presence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is lost upon" functions as a passive construction indicating a lack of understanding or appreciation. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, highlighting its prevalence across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

77%

News & Media

14%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is lost upon" serves to convey a lack of understanding or appreciation, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its usage spans diverse fields, including science, news, and formal communication, with a tendency toward neutral to formal registers. While frequently encountered, mastering its application involves recognizing its specific connotation of something subtle or complex failing to register. By considering alternatives like "is not understood by" or "is unappreciated by", writers can ensure precision in their expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not understood by

Focuses on a lack of comprehension rather than a lack of appreciation.

is not appreciated by

Emphasizes a lack of value assigned by someone.

is not grasped by

Highlights a failure to comprehend something, often intellectual.

is unappreciated by

Similar to 'is not appreciated by', but with a slightly stronger emphasis on neglect.

fails to register with

Indicates that something doesn't make an impact or isn't noticed.

is unnoticed by

Focuses on something not being observed or paid attention to.

is missed by

Implies an oversight or a failure to perceive something important.

escapes the attention of

Highlights that something avoids being noticed or considered.

is beyond the ken of

Suggests that something is outside someone's range of knowledge or understanding.

is unintelligible to

Highlights the impossibility of understanding something due to its complexity or obscurity.

FAQs

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

Use "is lost upon" to indicate that someone does not understand or appreciate something because it is subtle, complex, or requires specific knowledge. For example, "The humor "is lost upon" those unfamiliar with British culture."

What's a simpler way to say "is lost upon"?

Alternatives include "is not understood by", "is not appreciated by", or "is missed by", depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever appropriate to use "is lost on" instead of "is lost upon"?

While "is lost on" may be encountered, ""is lost upon"" is generally considered more formal and precise, particularly in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "is lost upon" and "is unappreciated by"?

"Is lost upon" often implies a lack of understanding, whereas "is unappreciated by" suggests a failure to recognize the value or importance of something. The former is about comprehension, the latter about valuing.