lose track of

USAGE SUMMARY

"lose track of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about forgetting where something or someone is, or forgetting information/details you were previously aware of. Example sentence: I seem to have lost track of where I put my keys.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I lose track of how many innings.

The New York Times - Sports

"You lose track of all the catches.

The New York Times - Sports

Police lose track of the suspects just before midday.

Independent

How did I lose track of those pants?

The New York Times - Magazine

Yet they never lose track of each other.

The New York Times - Books

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

The New Yorker

"I cannot stop myself, and I lose track of time".

The New York Times - Arts

When chasing fish, Tom would blissfully lose track of time.

The New Yorker

"We lose track of where we came from.

The New York Times

Characters appear so briefly you lose track of who's who.

The Guardian - Books

Most of the people that anybody grows up with they lose track of.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the subject losing track is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "I lost track", specify "I lost track of the time".

Common error

Be mindful of the tense. Use "lost track of" for past events and "losing track of" for ongoing processes or potential future events.

How to use

Learn how to use "lose track of" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose track of" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often followed by a noun or pronoun, to indicate a failure to keep up with, remember, or maintain awareness of something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

28%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lose track of" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe forgetting or becoming unaware of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and indicates that it fits well across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Wiki sources. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is being lost track of and be mindful of using the correct tense. Related phrases like "forget about" or "lose sight of" can serve as alternatives depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose sight of

This suggests a gradual detachment or forgetting of a goal, principle, or important detail. The alternative emphasizes the importance of what is lost, unlike the original phrase.

forget about

This alternative means to cease thinking about or remembering something, often unintentionally. This alternative is less about losing something, and more about disregarding.

fail to remember

This indicates a simple inability to recall something. This alternative focuses directly on the memory aspect.

be oblivious to

This phrase means to be unaware of something, often because you are not paying attention. This alternative focuses more on a lack of awareness rather than a loss of tracking.

be unaware of

This expresses a lack of knowledge or consciousness about something. This alternative focuses more on the state of not knowing rather than the process of losing something.

be inattentive to

This phrase refers to a lack of attention towards something. This alternative highlights negligence.

overlook

This means to fail to notice something. This alternative is about not noticing something in the first place, not losing something previously known.

disregard

This implies a conscious decision not to pay attention to something. This alternative indicates a deliberate act, which is different from unintentional loss.

can't keep up with

This phrase indicates an inability to stay informed or updated about something. The alternative suggests effort and speed, which is absent from the original phrase.

misplace

This suggests accidentally putting something in the wrong place. This alternative is usually used when referring to physical objects.

FAQs

How can I use "lose track of" in a sentence?

You can use "lose track of" to describe forgetting something or someone, for example: "I often "lose track of" time when I'm reading."

What's the difference between "lose track of" and "lose sight of"?

"Lose track of" generally refers to forgetting details or location, while "lose sight of" implies forgetting a goal or objective.

What are some synonyms for "lose track of"?

Some synonyms for "lose track of" include "forget about", "lose sight of", or "fail to remember", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "loose track of" instead of "lose track of"?

No, the correct spelling and phrase is ""lose track of"". "Loose" is an adjective meaning not tight, while "lose" is a verb meaning to misplace or be unable to find.