it was mislaid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was mislaid" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been lost or misplaced, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "I thought I had my keys with me, but it seems they were mislaid somewhere in the house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Johann Sebastian took a great interest in the music of his ancestors: he collected and performed it, but much of it was mislaid in the second world war.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In "Brace Up!," the actors recite the lines of Chekhov's play, but they use them as they would a prop, something that supports the action but wouldn't really be missed if it were mislaid.

The New Yorker

The psychological account, by contrast, is interesting, entertaining, and theoretically helpful (Freud pointed out "the remarkable sureness shown in finding the object again once the motive for its being mislaid had expired") but, alas, untrue.

The New Yorker

Another possibility, albeit a relatively remote one: key paperwork concerning your new REO's previous mortgage was mislaid as investors traded it like a baseball card during the mortgage securitization boom.

Forbes

When I consider what survived the journey from one to another neighborhood in Los Angeles: chipped china, worn rugs, mismatched sheets -- all of these unpacked and then discarded in the critical light of freshly painted rooms -- it seems impossible, and inevitable, that the album was mislaid.

The New York Times - Books

One was stolen from a careless spy who set it down briefly on a subway platform; the other was "mislaid" by a spy who "got blind drunk," according to The Sun. Nothing quite so dramatic has happened in the United States.

The New York Times

After taking strong medication for three months, he lost the lot when his luggage was mislaid at Heathrow.

Independent

The nitrate film disintegrated, but a single set of surviving prints was mislaid in a photography archive after his death.

The Guardian

On two occasions, Morpurgo recalled, when the record was mislaid, Moore played in the programme himself, once on a studio piano, once on a xylophone.

The Guardian

"Life in Our Phage World" contains a handful of memoirs by scientists whose work was mislaid or overlooked, and Rohwer has invited several others to speak at the public events that he is coördinating throughout 2015.

The New Yorker

A suspiciously convenient blunder in Malabo government HQ prevented Moussambani from showing the world how much he'd improved, when the passport photograph required for his accreditation was mislaid.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was mislaid" when you want to convey a sense of formality or mild euphemism for something being lost or misplaced. It's especially useful in writing where a direct, blunt statement might be considered too harsh or informal.

Common error

Avoid using "it was mislaid" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Simpler phrases like "it got lost" or "I can't find it" are more appropriate in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was mislaid" functions as a passive construction indicating that something has been unintentionally lost or misplaced. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests a more formal tone.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was mislaid" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe something that has been unintentionally lost or misplaced. According to Ludwig, it is more formal than a simple "lost" and finds frequent use in news, scientific, and business contexts. When writing, remember to reserve "it was mislaid" for more formal settings, opting for simpler alternatives in casual conversations. While this phrase has a defined context of use, the alternatives are numerous and can be chosen accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was misplaced

Replaces "mislaid" with "misplaced", offering a more common synonym with very similar meaning.

it has been lost

Change from past simple to present perfect is the only difference.

it got lost

Uses a more casual and straightforward expression for something being lost.

it went missing

A simpler way to say something is not where it should be.

it was unintentionally lost

Emphasizes the unintentional nature of the loss, adding clarity.

it was inadvertently lost

Similar to unintentionally lost, but uses a more formal tone.

it disappeared

Indicates something vanished, which can imply being mislaid.

it could not be located

Formal alternative expressing the inability to find something.

it was nowhere to be found

Highlights the unsuccessful search for the item.

it was irretrievably lost

Emphasizes the impossibility of recovering the item.

FAQs

What does "it was mislaid" mean?

The phrase "it was mislaid" means that something was unintentionally lost or misplaced. It suggests a temporary or unintentional loss, often with the hope of eventual recovery.

How do I use "it was mislaid" in a sentence?

You can use "it was mislaid" to describe something that has been lost or misplaced. For example: "The document "it was mislaid" during the move."

What are some alternatives to "it was mislaid"?

Some alternatives to "it was mislaid" include "it was misplaced", "it got lost", or "it went missing". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "it was mislaid" formal or informal?

"It was mislaid" is generally considered a more formal way of saying something was lost. In informal situations, phrases like "I lost it" or "it got lost" are more common.