it is probably lost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is probably lost" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing uncertainty about the status of an object or item that may no longer be in your possession. Example: "After searching the entire house, I concluded that it is probably lost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

While CCs are secure if the owner loses, misplaces or sometimes donates the computer device that has the CC key it is probably lost forever.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The gene NP_805259 (putative aminotransferase) of Salmonella typhi is also a paralog at the Enterobacteriales node, but it lacks its ortholog at the Salmonella node, because it was probably lost.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

And some of it was probably lost".

The Guardian - Film

When a bird goes that far astray, it's probably lost, or else it's been blown off course by a storm.

The New York Times

From Dortmund's perspective the "salad bowl" (championship trophy) was won with the tumultuous 1-0 win against Bayern in April but, as far as Bayern were concerned, it was probably lost a couple of months earlier.

The Guardian - Sport

And I think it's probably lost more people more money than anything else.

Forbes

There's a cute little irony in the use of old means of transportation to cut off new ones (large portions of the fence in Nogales are made out of surplus landing pad from the first Gulf War), but I suspect it's probably lost on the migrants who scramble their way through and around these barriers trying to get to a patch of greener grass.  .

Vice

As a private company, I don't know its revenues -- though the company says they're over $100 million, it's probably losing money and its value is unknown.

Forbes

That irony is probably lost on him, not that it matters anyway.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Museum of British Transport at Clapham is probably lost.

The Guardian

Digital information that you're losing is probably lost forever".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is probably lost", consider the context and whether a more specific term like "misplaced", "stolen", or "destroyed" would be more accurate.

Common error

In formal contexts, overuse of "probably" can weaken your argument. Opt for stronger, more definitive language when possible. For example, instead of "it is probably lost", you might say "it is likely lost" or "it appears to be lost".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is probably lost" functions as a declarative statement expressing an opinion or assessment about the state of something. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase adheres to standard grammatical conventions. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use across various contexts, indicating a likelihood of something being unrecoverable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is probably lost" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a likelihood of something being unrecoverable or permanently misplaced. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its acceptability and widespread use. It's versatility allows its use across various contexts, from News & Media to scientific discussions. While it is suitable for both formal and informal writing, consider more specific vocabulary for stronger impact. Related phrases like "it is likely missing" or "it has likely disappeared" can offer nuanced alternatives. Key takeaway is to ensure the level of certainty matches the context to select the most appropriate term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's likely missing

Changes the phrasing to a more concise form using 'likely' instead of 'probably'.

it's likely gone

Replaces 'lost' with 'gone' to suggest a permanent absence.

it's possibly misplaced

Suggests the item is not permanently lost but currently in an unknown location.

it has likely disappeared

Uses 'disappeared' to emphasize the mysterious or sudden nature of being lost.

it is presumably unrecoverable

Emphasizes the difficulty or impossibility of getting the item back.

it's probably unretrievable

Highlights the inability to retrieve the item.

it seems to be irretrievable

Shifts the focus to the appearance of being lost rather than a definite statement.

it's apparently no longer available

Indicates the item is not accessible or present anymore.

the chances of finding it are slim

Focuses on the low probability of recovery.

we can assume it is irretrievable

Suggests making a reasonable assumption about the item's status.

FAQs

What does "it is probably lost" mean?

The phrase "it is probably lost" means that something is likely unrecoverable or missing, but there is a degree of uncertainty. It suggests a high likelihood of being permanently misplaced.

How can I use "it is probably lost" in a sentence?

You can use "it is probably lost" to describe an item or opportunity that you believe is no longer available. For example: "After searching everywhere, I think "it is probably lost"."

What are some alternatives to "it is probably lost"?

Alternatives include "it is likely missing", "it has likely disappeared", or "it seems to be irretrievable", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

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

It is appropriate to use "it is probably lost" in both formal and informal contexts when you want to express a reasonable assumption that something is unrecoverable but without absolute certainty. Consider the audience and choose a more precise term if available.