lose hope

USAGE SUMMARY

"lose hope" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express a feeling of despair or to describe a situation in which someone has given up or stopped believing in something. For example, "With the mounting medical bills, the family began to lose hope that they would be able to pay them off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I never lose hope.

The New York Times

Do not lose hope.

The Guardian - Opinion

We all lose hope.

The Guardian - Opinion

"You never lose hope.

The New York Times

"Lose hope?" he said.

The New York Times

Still, he tried not to lose hope.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

We are losing hope.

The Economist

"We never lost hope".

The New York Times - Sports

"Everyone has lost hope.

The New York Times

But she never lost hope.

The New York Times

Young people are losing hope.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lose hope", consider the degree of despair you want to convey. Alternatives range from simply feeling discouraged to utterly abandoning all hope. Choose the phrasing that best fits the context.

Common error

Avoid using "lose hope" as an excuse for inaction. Acknowledging a feeling of hopelessness is different from passively accepting defeat. Instead, use the recognition of lost hope as a catalyst to explore alternative solutions or seek support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose hope" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of ceasing to have hope. It is often used to express a feeling of despair or discouragement, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

15%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lose hope" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a decline in optimism or a feeling of despair. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to personal narratives. When employing this phrase, consider the specific nuance you aim to convey, as alternatives range from simple discouragement to complete despair. Avoid using it as a justification for inaction, and instead, recognize it as a prompt for seeking new solutions or support. While the phrase is versatile, remember that "loose hope" is an incorrect variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abandon all hope

Emphasizes a complete lack of optimism.

be without hope

Simply states the absence of hope.

give up

Implies ceasing effort due to a lack of hope.

reach the point of hopelessness

Focuses on arriving at a state devoid of hope.

despair

A more intense and encompassing feeling of hopelessness.

be in despair

Highlights the state of being without hope.

become discouraged

Focuses on the emotional impact of losing hope.

succumb to despair

Suggests a yielding to feelings of hopelessness.

despond

Describes sinking to feelings of despair and loss of enthusiasm.

reach the end of one's rope

Indicates a state of desperation and loss of options.

FAQs

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

You can use "lose hope" to express a feeling of despair or a situation where someone stops believing in a positive outcome. For example: "After failing the exam twice, he began to lose hope of ever passing".

What are some alternatives to saying "lose hope"?

You can use alternatives like "despair", "give up", or "become discouraged" depending on the context.

Is it ever correct to say "loose hope" instead of "lose hope"?

No, "loose hope" is incorrect. "Lose" (rhymes with choose) is the correct verb to use, meaning to be deprived of or cease to have. "Loose" (rhymes with goose) means not tightly fixed.

What's the difference between "losing hope" and "lost hope"?

"Losing hope" implies a gradual decline in optimism, while "lost hope" suggests a complete absence of hope. For example, "He was losing hope during the long search" versus "He had lost hope after years of searching".