lose concentration

USAGE SUMMARY

"lose concentration" is correct, and can be used in written English in all kinds of contexts.
For example, you might say, "I was so tired my mind started to wander and I started to lose concentration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And what does that do to you? "I lose concentration and I mess all of my work up".

The Guardian

You can give yourself a headache or burn out or lose concentration towards the end of the round.

The Guardian - Sport

I never lose concentration.

The Guardian

No time to lose concentration.

The Guardian - Sport

But lose concentration, and you lose control.

The New York Times - Sports

"Everyone said the kids will lose concentration," says Rakshand.

The Guardian

They can lose concentration and that becomes a big problem.

The Guardian - Sport

The other part is when I lose concentration.

The Guardian - Books

When Wales lose concentration, they lose it totally.

The Guardian - Sport

"If you see it better, you might lose concentration.

The New York Times - Sports

"The more shots you miss, players tend to lose confidence and lose concentration," Thorn said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain clarity in your writing, specify the cause of losing concentration. For instance, instead of just saying someone "lost concentration", explain they "lost concentration due to the loud noise".

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice when describing the act of losing concentration. Instead of "Concentration was lost", use the active voice: "The student lost concentration".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose concentration" functions as a verb phrase, where "lose" acts as the main verb and "concentration" serves as its object. As seen in Ludwig, the examples show it describing an action of decreasing mental focus.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Sport

24%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lose concentration" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a decrease in mental focus. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Sports. To improve your writing, consider specifying the cause of the loss of concentration and avoid overusing the passive voice. Synonyms like "lose focus" and "become distracted" offer alternative ways to express a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose focus

A direct synonym, simply replacing "concentration" with "focus".

stop paying attention

Directly indicates a cessation of attentiveness.

become distracted

This alternative emphasizes the shift of attention to something else.

become inattentive

Highlights a lack of attention.

get sidetracked

This alternative suggests a deviation from the intended path or task.

have your mind wander

Emphasizes the mind moving away from the task.

drift off

This alternative implies a gradual loss of focus, often associated with boredom or fatigue.

be absent-minded

Describes a state of being prone to forgetfulness and lack of focus.

zone out

This alternative suggests a state of detachment and reduced awareness.

space out

Similar to "zone out", but can also imply a temporary mental absence.

FAQs

How can I use "lose concentration" in a sentence?

You can use "lose concentration" in various contexts, such as "The noise made it difficult not to "lose concentration"", or "Long meetings often cause people to "lose concentration"".

What are some synonyms for "lose concentration"?

Alternatives for "lose concentration" include phrases like "lose focus", "become distracted", or "get sidetracked", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever acceptable to say "loss of concentration" instead of "lose concentration"?

"Loss of concentration" is a noun phrase that refers to the state of being unable to concentrate. While related, it functions differently in a sentence. For example, "The "loss of concentration" affected his performance" uses the noun phrase, whereas "He started to "lose concentration"" uses the verb phrase.

What factors typically cause someone to "lose concentration"?

Common causes for someone to "lose concentration" include distractions, fatigue, lack of interest, or external stressors. Addressing these factors can improve focus and prevent the individual from losing focus.