it could be lost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it could be lost" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the possibility of something being misplaced or not being found. Example: "If we don't keep track of the documents, it could be lost in the shuffle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It could be lost in a single generation.

The New Yorker

It seems a tragedy that it could be lost, burned or thrown away".

Independent

But it could be lost if researchers became wary of studying this subject or even talking about it.

The New York Times - Health

"This is a very important issue, because a lot of young women in this country take this right for granted, and it could be lost".

The New York Times - Magazine

Stanley McChrystal The US commander of Nato forces in Afghanistan has presented a highly critical report on the conduct of the war so far, warning it could be lost within a year and calling for 40,000 more troops.

Independent

He was better informed about the details of the decision, and dramatised the general issue to his advantage: "A lot of young women in this country take this right [abortion] for granted and it could be lost.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

And with its kind of scale (and coffer) it could be losing a million dollars a month and still be a good bet.

TechCrunch

It could be losing weight, starting a business, or teaching yourself Spanish.

Huffington Post

If we don't stop this rampant destruction, the Leuser Ecosystem and the Sumatran orangutans that call it home could be lost forever.

Huffington Post

Unless governments come out fighting for free trade in Seattle and beyond, the huge gains it has brought could be lost.

The Economist

The population remembers from year to year where to go but if it shifts eastwards that could be lost".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it could be lost", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to, preventing ambiguity. For example, "Without proper backups, the data it could be lost".

Common error

Avoid using "it could be lost" repetitively in multiple conditional clauses within the same paragraph. This can make your writing sound redundant and less impactful. Vary your sentence structure and vocabulary for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it could be lost" functions as a modal expression of possibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It indicates a potential negative outcome, such as misplacement or disappearance, if certain conditions are not met. The examples from Ludwig illustrate various contexts where this phrase is employed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it could be lost" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express the possibility of something being misplaced or irretrievable. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely used across different contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear and the reference of 'it' is unambiguous. Consider related phrases like "it might disappear" or "it could go missing" for variety. The phrase serves as a warning and should be used to prompt preventive action to avoid the potential loss. The primary contexts for its usage are News & Media and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there's a chance it will be lost

Uses a more explicit structure to convey a possibility of loss.

it could go missing

Focuses on the chance of something becoming absent or unaccounted for.

it might disappear

Emphasizes the possibility of vanishing or ceasing to exist.

it's liable to get lost

Emphasizes a higher probability that something will become lost.

it may go astray

Highlights the potential for something to wander or be misdirected from its intended path.

it's at risk of disappearing

Focuses on the vulnerability and chance of something ceasing to exist.

it is in danger of being lost

Highlights the risk or peril associated with the possibility of losing something.

it runs the risk of being misplaced

Stresses the element of chance involved in the potential misplacement of an item.

it is vulnerable to being lost

Highlights the susceptibility of something to being misplaced or not found.

it has the potential to be lost

Emphasizes the inherent possibility that something might not be found.

FAQs

What does "it could be lost" mean?

The phrase "it could be lost" means there's a possibility that something might be misplaced, disappear, or no longer be recoverable. The 'it' refers to a specific item, idea, or opportunity previously mentioned.

How to use "it could be lost" in a sentence?

Use "it could be lost" to express a potential negative outcome if precautions aren't taken. For instance, "If we don't back up the files, "the data" it could be lost."

What are some alternatives to "it could be lost"?

Alternatives include "it might disappear", "it may go astray", or "it could go missing", depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

Is "it could be lost" the same as "it might be lost"?

Both phrases suggest a possibility. "It could be lost" implies a potential for something to be irretrievable, while "it might be lost" suggests a slightly lesser degree of certainty or probability. The choice depends on the context and the desired emphasis.