lose track

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lose track" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of forgetting something or becoming confused and uncertain about an issue, either temporarily or for longer periods. Example: During the presentation, I lost track of what the speaker was saying.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I never lose track".

The New York Times - Magazine

I'll lose track.

The New York Times - Books

"I lose track.

The New York Times - Sports

"Sometimes I just lose track".

The New Yorker

It is easy to lose track.

The New Yorker

"I lose track of how many innings.

The New York Times - Sports

"You lose track of all the catches.

The New York Times - Sports

She added, "I don't want to lose track of him".

The New Yorker

Police lose track of the suspects just before midday.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Then I lost track.

The New York Times

I lost track of Ilasaca.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lose track" to indicate a temporary or gradual forgetting of information, time, or progress. For instance, "I lose track of time when I'm engrossed in a good book."

Common error

Avoid using "lose track" interchangeably with expressions like "lost" or "missed opportunity". "Lose track" refers to losing awareness, not necessarily losing something tangible. For example, avoid saying "I lost track of my keys" when you mean "I lost my keys".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose track" functions primarily as a verb phrase. Ludwig indicates that it's used to express the act of forgetting or no longer being aware of something, whether it's time, information, or an item's location.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lose track" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a lapse in memory or awareness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across different contexts, from news reports to casual conversations, and can be effectively replaced with alternatives like ""forget about"" or "overlook" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. To best employ "lose track", focus on using it to indicate a gradual or temporary forgetting, and avoid confusing it with expressions indicating a physical loss. Remember, keeping a planner can help prevent you from "losing track" of time!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forget about

Implies a complete lapse of memory or consideration.

overlook

Indicates a failure to notice or consider something.

fail to remember

Highlights the inability to recall something specifically.

neglect to monitor

Focuses on the lack of attention or oversight.

be inattentive to

Suggests a lack of focus or diligence in paying attention.

be unaware of

Suggests a lack of knowledge or consciousness about something.

misplace

Refers to losing something physically or conceptually.

disregard

Emphasizes the act of intentionally ignoring or overlooking something.

draw a blank

Denotes a temporary inability to remember something.

leave behind

Highlights the act of forgetting or abandoning something.

FAQs

How to use "lose track" in a sentence?

You can use "lose track" to indicate that you have forgotten or are no longer aware of something. For example, "It's easy to "forget about" things when you're busy" or "I often "lose sense of time" when I'm working on a project".

What can I say instead of "lose track"?

You can use alternatives like ""forget about"", "misplace", or "be unaware of" depending on the context.

What does it mean to "lose track" of something?

To "lose track" of something means to "fail to remember", "be inattentive to", or "neglect to monitor" something, often resulting in confusion or lack of awareness. It's about losing a sense of what's happening or where something is.

Which is correct, "lose track" or "loose track"?

"Lose track" is the correct spelling. "Loose track" is incorrect because "loose" means not tight or not firmly fixed. "Lose" means to suffer a loss or to be unable to find something.