lost a month

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost a month" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a situation where time has been wasted or not utilized effectively, resulting in a month being unaccounted for. Example: "Due to the delays in the project, we lost a month that could have been spent on development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"You've lost a month".

The New York Times - Travel

Mr. Bushman said his daughter's teacher had told him the class had lost a month of learning in the tumult after the attack on the World Trade Center.

The New York Times

Seo, who signed for a bonus of more than $1 million in December 1997, was not in shape this year because he lost a month of his rehabilitation serving in the military reserves for South Korea.

The New York Times - Sports

I had lost a month of productivity in early 2009 following the polymath1 project – a large-scale, collaborative and open project to discover a new type of proof of a well-known theorem.

The Guardian

"You've just lost a month's pay".

The New York Times

But he lost a month's worth of customers, most of his inventory was destroyed by smoke and water, and the interruption of electricity ruined the perishables.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"I missed it," Massimino said after Northwood lost a Feb. 7 game against St. Thomas.

The New York Times - Sports

It was the 11th straight time that they have lost a September or October game at Turner Field.

The New York Times - Sports

And their chosen Democrats have lost primaries: in Nebraska, a former congressman backed by the DCCC, Brad Ashford, lost a May primary to a progressive insurgent, Kara Eastman.

The Guardian - Opinion

CHARGERS (6-8) at BUCS (9-5) byccaneers by 3 1/2 San Diego, which has not lost a December game since 2005, is hanging on to its last thread of playoff hope.

The New York Times

However, Perez Williams, 54, who lost a November bid for mayor of Syracuse, was hobbled from the beginning by her late entry.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lost a month", clearly specify what was lost or the consequence of losing that time. For example, "The project was delayed, and we "lost a month" of development time."

Common error

Avoid using "lost a month" vaguely. Instead of saying "We "lost a month"", provide context: "We "lost a month"'s worth of productivity" or "We "lost a month" due to unforeseen circumstances."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost a month" functions as a quantifier indicating a specific duration of time (one month) that has been negatively affected, either through waste, delay, or setback. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Sports

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost a month" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to denote a period of thirty days that has been wasted, made unproductive, or resulted in some form of setback. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's perfectly correct and usable in written English. The phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, but it can also appear in sports and scientific discussions. When using "lost a month", ensure that the context clearly indicates what was lost or the resulting consequences. Alternatives such as "wasted a month" or "fell behind by a month" may provide a more nuanced meaning depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lost one month

Slightly more formal phrasing with identical meaning.

wasted a month

Emphasizes the unproductive use of time, similar to losing it.

missed a month

Simple alternative conveying the absence of a month's worth of progress.

squandered a month

Implies foolishly wasting a month, adding a layer of irresponsibility.

fell behind by a month

Indicates being delayed in schedule by a month.

sacrificed a month

Highlights the act of giving up a month for something else.

experienced a month's delay

Highlights the delay caused by losing the month.

forfeited a month

Suggests losing a month due to a rule or consequence.

endured a month-long setback

Focuses on the negative impact and duration of the loss.

went a month without

Focuses on the deprivation experienced during the month.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "lost a month"?

To say someone "lost a month" means that a period of one month was unproductive, wasted, or resulted in a setback. It implies a disadvantage due to the passage of time without achieving the desired outcome.

How can I use the phrase "lost a month" in a sentence?

You can use "lost a month" to describe delays, setbacks, or periods of inactivity. For example, "The company "lost a month"'s worth of revenue due to the factory shutdown" or "The athlete "lost a month" of training due to injury."

What are some alternatives to saying "lost a month"?

You can use alternatives like "wasted a month", "squandered a month", or "fell behind by a month" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "lost a month"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used to express a period of time that has been rendered unproductive or has resulted in a setback.