lose contact

USAGE SUMMARY

"lose contact" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe when two people, groups, or things fail to interact or maintain contact with one another. For example, "When Meg moved away, she and her best friend quickly lost contact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even worse, they lose contact with reality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"You lose contact with the outside world".

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's hard when I lose contact with them".

The Guardian

Unfortunately you tend to lose contact with people not on the same path.

The Guardian

The difference is that his designs don't lose contact with the female body.

The New York Times

The train conductors soon lose contact with the outside world, forcing passengers into the Pennsylvania backwoods.

The New York Times

A woman who has to run a house can never so lose contact with matter.

The New Yorker

But it made sure that it didn't lose contact with all of them.

The New York Times

Conor Murray then slipped up the blind side only to lose contact with Zebo.

The Guardian - Sport

Every so often, an underground control center would lose contact with missiles, briefly.

The New Yorker

Despite an attack that looked tepid by comparison, the Islanders did not lose contact.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about relationships, consider the degree of separation. "Lose contact" implies a less formal and possibly unintentional disconnect, while phrases like "become estranged" suggest a more significant and deliberate severing of ties.

Common error

Ensure you're using the correct phrase based on context. "Lose contact" refers to ceasing communication, while "lost the contract" refers to a business agreement that was not secured or was terminated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose contact" functions as a verb phrase indicating the cessation of communication or interaction between individuals, groups, or entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lose contact" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to describe the cessation of communication or interaction. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, with numerous examples demonstrating its use across various contexts, primarily in news, science and academic writing. While "lose contact" carries a neutral tone, it is important to consider the specific context to determine the most appropriate way to express the intended meaning, and alternative phrases like "fall out of touch" or "drift apart" are worth considering depending on the level of implication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose connection with

Similar to "lose contact", but can also refer to a loss of understanding or empathy.

fall out of touch

This alternative implies a gradual fading of communication and connection, rather than an abrupt cessation.

drift apart

This phrase suggests a gradual separation due to differing paths or interests, leading to a weakening of the relationship.

become distant

Suggests an emotional or physical separation, where the relationship weakens over time.

become estranged

This indicates a more formal and often emotional separation, suggesting a severing of ties.

break off communication

This phrase denotes a deliberate and often abrupt end to communication.

cease communication

This is a formal way of saying that communication has stopped.

disconnect from

Implies a broader separation, not just in communication but also in other forms of connection or understanding.

stop corresponding

Specifically refers to the cessation of written communication.

end relations with

This implies a formal ending of a relationship or association.

FAQs

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

You can use "lose contact" to describe a situation where people or entities stop communicating or interacting. For example, "After she moved to another country, they began to lose contact."

What can I say instead of "lose contact"?

You can use alternatives like "fall out of touch", "drift apart", or "lose connection with" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "lose contact" and "lost contact"?

"Lose contact" refers to the act of ceasing communication, while "lost contact" indicates that communication has already stopped. The former is used for future or hypothetical scenarios, while the latter describes a past state.

Is it correct to say "losing contact"?

Yes, "losing contact" is the present continuous tense of "lose contact" and is grammatically correct. For example, "We are losing contact with the team due to the storm."