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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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lost about

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost about" is not correct or usable in written English.
You can use the phrase "wondering about" or "pondering about" instead. For example: She was pondering about what she should do next.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Earlier, European stock averages lost about 2.7% of their value.

News & Media

Forbes

Within the first 3 months I had lost about 30lbs.

News & Media

Huffington Post

"I've lost about 25 pounds".

News & Media

The New York Times

"We lost about seven fighters".

News & Media

The New York Times

Citigroup lost about 4 percent to $26.90.

News & Media

The New York Times

He survived but lost about 40 relations.

News & Media

The Economist

The United States lost about 130 planes.

America lost about 58,000 service members.

News & Media

The New York Times

I lost about three stone.

News & Media

The Guardian

"I lost about 40 pounds.

Estonia lost about 60,000 people, while Latvia and Lithuania lost about 35,000 each.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "lost about" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "confused about" or "uncertain about" to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Common error

The phrase "lost about" is often mistakenly used in place of phrases like "confused about" or "uncertain about". Ensure you use the correct preposition and phrasing to avoid grammatical errors. For example, use "confused about" instead of "lost about".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost about" functions as part of a predicate expressing a state of confusion or uncertainty, but it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies it as an incorrect phrase. The correct alternatives are ""confused about"" or "uncertain about".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost about" is frequently used across various sources, but, as pointed out by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning, often related to confusion or uncertainty, is better expressed through alternatives like ""confused about"" or "uncertain about". While commonly found in news, media, and informal contexts, maintaining grammatical accuracy, especially in formal writing, requires avoiding "lost about" in favor of its more appropriate substitutes.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "lost about"?

You can use alternatives like ""confused about"", "uncertain about", or "unsure about" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "lost about"?

No, "lost about" is not grammatically correct. It's better to use phrases like ""confused about"" or "uncertain about".

How to use "confused about" in a sentence?

You can use ""confused about"" in a sentence like: "I am confused about the instructions" or "She was confused about the directions to the museum."

What's the difference between "lost about" and "confused about"?

"Lost about" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. "Confused about" is the correct way to express uncertainty or a lack of understanding.

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Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: