is truly lost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is truly lost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a state of being completely lost, whether physically, emotionally, or metaphorically. Example: "After wandering for hours in the unfamiliar city, I realized I was truly lost."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

If your device is truly lost, you can start the Lost Mode process by clicking the button in the device's Options window.

WikiHow

Well then all is  truly lost.

Independent

The world is truly lost in trying to find a way out of the current crisis.

The New York Times

Ideally they are able to salvage the missing page, but sometimes, if the page is truly lost, they have to take it out (resulting in the subsequent code 500 when the page gets taken down)." In Spanish it's vergüenza ajena, in German it's called fremdshämen and plaatsvervangende schaamte in Dutch.

TechCrunch

--Bonnie Fulleread read more on why this 17-year-old is truly lost & alone click here!

Huffington Post

Their innate intelligence knowing how easy it is to let go and that nothing is truly lost.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

I did not realize the lost quality of Reeves until he was truly lost".

The New Yorker

We are truly lost, with no recognizable landmark.

The New York Times - Magazine

He's truly lost in the moment, which is lovely to see.

The Guardian - Sport

Once, I fell far behind and spent one long afternoon thinking I was truly lost.

The New York Times

Tuymans's grayish daubs announce that the war against mass media and Minimalist skepticism is truly over, because it's truly lost.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is truly lost" to convey a sense of finality or completeness in being lost, whether in a physical, emotional, or abstract sense. It emphasizes the depth and reality of the state.

Common error

Avoid using "is truly lost" in situations where a simpler or less dramatic phrasing would suffice. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. For example, instead of saying 'If I don't find my keys, my presentation is truly lost' you can say 'If I don't find my keys, my presentation will be ruined'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is truly lost" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a subject. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase correctly indicates a condition of being completely or genuinely lost. Examples show its use in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is truly lost" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a state of being completely lost. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, from physical disorientation to metaphorical senses of loss. While considered neutral in tone, it's advisable to avoid overuse in overly dramatic situations to maintain its impact. Related phrases like "is completely lost" or "is utterly lost" offer similar meanings. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources. Be mindful of the emotional weight it carries to employ it effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is completely lost

Emphasizes the thoroughness of being lost, focusing on the extent of the state.

is utterly lost

Highlights the degree of being lost, suggesting a sense of hopelessness.

is irrevocably lost

Focuses on the permanent nature of the loss, indicating there's no return.

is hopelessly lost

Indicates a lack of hope in finding a way back or being recovered.

is permanently lost

Stresses the lasting nature of being lost; no expectation of recovery.

is irretrievably lost

Highlights the inability to retrieve what is lost, focusing on the impossibility of recovery.

is beyond recovery

Shifts focus to the impossibility of regaining what has been lost.

is well and truly lost

An emphatic way of saying something is definitely and completely lost.

is all but lost

Indicates that something is nearly lost or as good as lost.

is past saving

Emphasizes the inability to rescue or salvage the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "is truly lost" to emphasize the completeness or finality of being lost, whether physically, emotionally, or metaphorically. For example, 'After wandering for hours, I realized I "was truly lost"'.

What phrases are similar to "is truly lost"?

Similar phrases include "is completely lost", "is utterly lost", or "is irrevocably lost", all conveying a sense of being fully and perhaps permanently lost.

Is it correct to say "was truly lost" instead of "is truly lost"?

Yes, "was truly lost" is grammatically correct. The choice between "is" and "was" depends on the tense of the sentence. "Is" indicates a present state, while "was" indicates a past state. For example, 'He is truly lost now' versus 'He "was truly lost" yesterday'.

What is the difference between "is truly lost" and "seems lost"?

"Is truly lost" indicates a definite state of being lost, with a sense of certainty and completeness. "Seems lost", on the other hand, suggests an appearance or perception of being lost, without the same level of certainty. It implies a possibility rather than a confirmed state.