is really lost

USAGE SUMMARY

'is really lost' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to show that someone is completely lost or confused. For example, "He is really lost when it comes to understanding the rules of the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Now he feels that nothing is really lost - it all exists in memory.

The New Yorker

What is really lost when this happens is the self-invention of a human brain.

The New York Times - Magazine

From a customer's point of view that lost package is really lost".

The New York Times

They are sufficiently different from us that it really requires a willingness on our part to put ourselves back to a time that is really lost".

The New York Times

"You can only fit so many apps on your homescreen," says Zhao. "And users also only have the mental capacity to remember a couple of dozen things…everything else is really lost," he adds.

TechCrunch

But if we don't get job growth right, then the essence of what it is to be an American, and I speak as somebody who has lived the American Dream, is really lost".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But who is really losing out here?

The Guardian - Sport

"He is really losing ground, objectively speaking," said Amando Doronila, a political commentator.

The New York Times

"This election will be a test of whether Japan is really losing its dovishness," said Takeshi Sasaki, a politics professor at Gakushuin University in Tokyo.

The New York Times

I'm sorry, Mac Otakara, but your supplier is really losing me now.

Forbes

Now I was really lost.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's state of confusion, consider using "is really lost" to emphasize their complete lack of understanding or direction. For example, "He is really lost when it comes to understanding the technical jargon."

Common error

While "is really lost" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "is thoroughly disoriented" or "lacks a comprehensive understanding" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is really lost" primarily functions as a predicate adjective phrase. It modifies a subject to describe its state, indicating a complete lack of direction, understanding, or awareness. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is really lost" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a state of confusion, disorientation, or lack of understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. While acceptable in most contexts, remember to consider your audience. In highly formal settings, more sophisticated alternatives like "is thoroughly disoriented" or "lacks a comprehensive understanding" might be more appropriate. Usage patterns indicate its frequent presence in News & Media and Wiki sources, highlighting its versatility in various types of content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is utterly confused

Substitutes "really lost" with "utterly confused", emphasizing a complete lack of clarity or understanding.

is truly disoriented

Replaces "really lost" with "truly disoriented", emphasizing the feeling of being lost in terms of direction or understanding.

is profoundly disoriented

Substitutes "really lost" with "profoundly disoriented", emphasizing a deep sense of confusion and loss of direction.

is completely bewildered

Substitutes "really lost" with "completely bewildered", highlighting confusion and disorientation.

is deeply perplexed

Replaces "really lost" with "deeply perplexed", highlighting a strong sense of bewilderment.

is totally perplexed

Replaces "really lost" with "totally perplexed", focusing on the state of being puzzled or unable to understand something.

is hopelessly turned around

Replaces "really lost" with "hopelessly turned around", highlighting the inability to find one's way back or understand the situation.

is genuinely adrift

Replaces "really lost" with "genuinely adrift", suggesting a lack of direction or purpose in life.

is seriously misguided

Substitutes "really lost" with "seriously misguided", indicating a deviation from the correct path or understanding.

is remarkably clueless

Substitutes "really lost" with "remarkably clueless", emphasizing the lack of understanding or knowledge.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "is really lost"?

You can use alternatives like "is utterly confused", "is completely bewildered", or "is truly disoriented" depending on the context.

How to use "is really lost" in a sentence?

You can use "is really lost" to describe someone's lack of understanding or physical orientation. For example, "She is really lost in the woods" or "He is really lost when trying to understand quantum physics".

Is there a difference between "is really lost" and "is completely lost"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "is completely lost" might suggest a more profound or irreversible state of being lost. "Is really lost" simply emphasizes the extent of being lost.

When is it appropriate to use "is really lost"?

It's appropriate to use "is really lost" in both informal and neutral contexts to describe a state of confusion or physical displacement. However, consider more formal alternatives in professional or academic settings.