lose count of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lose count of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a situation where someone can no longer keep track of numbers or quantities due to their abundance. Example: "After the third round of drinks, I started to lose count of how many we had." Alternative expressions include "can't keep track of" and "no longer remember."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Literature

Social Commentary

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

You lose count of the number of times you hear documentaries trashed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

For summer 2013, any editor would lose count of the number of diaphanous blouses on the runways, with no reaction of shock, horror or surprise.

The New York Times

This is a book of Koons' near-hero worship – you lose count of the times Rosenthal uses the adjectives wonderful and beautiful.

Independent

I lose count of the many times I have been reprimanded for an inopportune frown, eye-roll, or death stare (teachers found the latter particularly unnerving).

The Guardian - Opinion

They're just small enough to pop whole into your mouth, and just addictive enough to make you quickly lose count of how often you've done this.

The New York Times - Travel

I notice, as we talk, how two verbs dominate his conversation: 'to box in' and 'to release' - I lose count of the number of times I hear them.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

I lost count of the jacket/coat dresses.

The New York Times

We have lost count of them.

The Guardian

"We've lost count of the missing".

The Guardian

I lost count of the days.

The New York Times

I have lost count of similar conversations I have had.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with specific nouns like "times", "days", "reps" or "arrests" to provide immediate context for what is being tracked.

Common error

Do not combine "lose count of" with adjectives like "many" or "numerous" within the same noun phrase (e.g. "I lost count of the numerous times"). This is tautological because the phrase itself already implies a high number. Instead, say "I lost count of the times" or "I lost count of how many times".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose count of" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used to indicate the inability to maintain a numerical record due to abundance. It is usually followed by a direct object or a subordinate clause beginning with "how many".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Literature

10%

Opinion & Commentary

5%

Less common in

Scientific Research

2%

Legal Documents

1%

Technical Manuals

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lose count of" is a robust idiomatic tool used to signify that a quantity or frequency has surpassed the point of easy tracking. Data from Ludwig shows that it is exceptionally common in high-tier journalism to describe everything from repetitive political rhetoric to the number of films an actor has made. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a grammatically correct and highly effective way to add rhetorical weight to descriptions of abundance. When writing, remember that it is most effective when the items being counted are plural and the preposition "of" is strictly maintained.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose track of

has a broader application and can refer to time or sequence as well as numerical quantity

can't keep track of

emphasizes the active struggle or inability to maintain an accurate tally

lose count

removes the prepositional object to focus purely on the state of being overwhelmed by numbers

forget the number of

shifts the focus toward the failure of memory regarding a specific total

stop counting

implies that the volume is so high that the observer has intentionally given up on tracking

be beyond count

describes the items themselves as being uncountable rather than the observer's failure to count them

unable to tally

provides a more formal or administrative tone compared to the idiomatic QUERY

miscount

suggests a specific error in the mathematical process rather than a general feeling of being overwhelmed

be out of count

is an archaic or poetic variation rarely found in modern journalistic prose

lose the thread of

focuses on the logical progression of a story or argument rather than a quantity

FAQs

How do I use "lose count of" in a sentence?

You can use it to show a large quantity, such as: "I "lose count of" how many emails I receive every morning." It often appears in the form "lose count of the number of" followed by a plural noun.

What can I say instead of "lose count of"?

Depending on the context, you might use "lose track of", "can't keep track of" or "stop counting".

Is it correct to say "lose count on"?

No, the correct idiomatic preposition is almost always "of". Saying "lose count on" is considered a grammatical error in standard English.

What is the difference between "lose count of" and "lose track of"?

"lose count of" is specifically used for numbers and quantities, while "lose track of" is broader and can be used for time, progress, people or information.