it may be lost

USAGE SUMMARY

'it may be lost' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are uncertain about something's fate or when something may have gone astray. For example, "We haven't seen the document anywhere, so it may be lost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

When a terabyte hard disk fails, by contrast, all the data on it may be lost.

The Economist

By this logic, it may be lost travellers who make the most inner progress.

The New Yorker

Precipitation that falls elsewhere in the lake basin may reach the lake through either surface or groundwater flow, or it may be lost due to evapotranspiration.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His music has not found itself yet, and if it counts on his character rescuing it, then it may be lost.

The Guardian - Film

In 2012, before the Presidential election, he recorded a video with his wife, warning evangelicals of the scourge of socialism, and saying, "We're at a tipping point and quite possibly our country as we know it may be lost forever".

The New Yorker

Plus, it can detect when your phone is out of reach and will send you alerts that it may be lost or stolen.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

It may be losing its prominence in the cultures of the East, too.

The New York Times

Johnston Press is reviewing its TV ad sales venture with Sky over concerns that it may be losing some of its most lucrative advertisers to the pay-TV company.

The Guardian

It's not afraid to bleed cash as it expands to pick up share in emerging markets which means that while it may be losing some of its more righteous install base, it's adding ever more new users who have yet to be offended enough to quit.

TechCrunch

But it may be losing the wider propaganda war.

The Economist

"By refusing to acknowledge Peruvian ownership, it may be losing the cultural battle".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it may be lost" when expressing uncertainty about the current location or status of something. For example, "The original manuscript has not been located; it may be lost."

Common error

Avoid using "it may be lost" when you are certain something is gone. Opt for phrases like "it is lost" or "it has been lost" to convey certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it may be lost" functions as a modal phrase expressing uncertainty or possibility regarding the state or location of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase suggests that something is potentially irretrievable but not definitively so.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33.33%

Wiki

16.67%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it may be lost" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for expressing uncertainty about the whereabouts or status of something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a modal phrase and appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. While not extremely common, it's a valuable expression to convey a sense of potential loss. Remember to use it when you're unsure, rather than when you know something is definitively lost.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it could be lost

Changes the modal verb from "may" to "could", suggesting a slightly lower probability.

it might be lost

Replaces "may" with "might", offering a similar level of uncertainty.

it is possibly lost

Rephrases the modal "may be" with an adverb "possibly", emphasizing the possibility of being lost.

it is perhaps lost

Similar to 'possibly', uses 'perhaps' to indicate uncertainty about being lost.

it is potentially lost

Highlights the potential for being lost, making the loss conditional.

it could disappear

Focuses on the disappearance aspect, suggesting a more permanent loss.

it might disappear

Emphasizes the chance of disappearing, implying a potential for irreversible loss.

it is liable to be lost

Indicates a higher likelihood of being lost compared to "may be lost".

it is in danger of being lost

Emphasizes the risk and vulnerability of the object to being lost.

it is at risk of being lost

Similar to the previous, but focuses on the state of being at risk.

FAQs

How can I use "it may be lost" in a sentence?

You can use "it may be lost" to express uncertainty about something's whereabouts or status. For instance, "If the data isn't backed up, "it may be lost" forever."

What's a more formal alternative to "it may be lost"?

For a more formal tone, consider phrases like "it is potentially lost" or "it is possibly lost", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "it may be lost" and "it is lost"?

"It may be lost" implies uncertainty and suggests a possibility of recovery, while "it is lost" indicates certainty and finality. The choice depends on whether there's still hope of finding the item.

What can I say instead of "it may be lost" to indicate a high probability of loss?

To indicate a higher likelihood, you could say "it is likely lost" or "it is probably lost". These alternatives convey a stronger sense of potential loss compared to "it may be lost".