lost all hope

USAGE SUMMARY

"lost all hope" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a situation in which something very important to a person is no longer a possibility or source of optimism. For example, "John had lost all hope of finding a job after months of searching."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But he had not lost all hope.

The Economist

"I have lost all hope.

The New York Times

"We have lost all hope.

The New York Times

I had lost all hope," he explains.

The Guardian

These drunkards have lost all hope.

The Guardian

Still, amazingly, he has not lost all hope.

Independent

During Ahmadinejad's time I had lost all hope.

The Guardian

I have now lost all hope, and I just feel depressed".

The New York Times - Magazine

"I've lost all hope of finding them," Ms. Lubka said, tears edging her eyes.

The New York Times

Remaining silent would mean he had lost all hope of seeing race relations improve.

The New York Times

"Hearing this comment on the first day, we lost all hope for women".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lost all hope", ensure the context clearly establishes what the subject was hoping for and why that hope is now gone. This provides a stronger emotional impact and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "lost all hope" in situations that are merely disappointing or inconvenient. The phrase carries significant weight and should be reserved for truly dire circumstances to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost all hope" functions as a verb phrase expressing a complete absence of optimism or expectation for a positive outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. Examples in Ludwig show it describing situations of profound disappointment and despair.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost all hope" is a widely recognized and grammatically sound expression used to convey a complete absence of optimism. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what was being hoped for and why that hope has vanished to maximize the emotional impact. While the phrase is versatile, avoid using it in trivial situations to preserve its powerful connotation. Consider alternatives such as "given up completely" or "despaired entirely" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despaired entirely

Emphasizes the feeling of utter hopelessness and the absence of any positive outlook.

surrendered to despair

Indicates a complete submission to feelings of hopelessness and discouragement.

met the depths of despair

Highlights the intensity and severity of the hopelessness experienced.

given up completely

Focuses on the act of surrendering or ceasing effort, implying a loss of hope.

succumbed to hopelessness

Implies being overwhelmed and defeated by a lack of hope.

reached the end of the line

Suggests a point where no further progress or options are available, leading to despair.

saw no light at the end of the tunnel

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe a situation with no foreseeable improvement.

abandoned all expectation

Highlights the relinquishment of any anticipation of a favorable outcome.

relinquished all expectation

Emphasizes the formal act of giving up any positive anticipation.

resigned oneself to fate

Suggests accepting an undesirable outcome without resistance, implying a lack of hope for change.

FAQs

How can I use "lost all hope" in a sentence?

You can use "lost all hope" to describe a situation where someone has completely given up on a positive outcome. For example, "After the devastating earthquake, many families "lost all hope" of finding their loved ones alive".

What phrases can I use instead of "lost all hope"?

Alternatives to "lost all hope" include phrases like "given up completely", "despaired entirely", or "surrendered to despair", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "had lost all hope"?

Yes, "had lost all hope" is grammatically correct. The past perfect tense emphasizes that the loss of hope occurred before another event in the past. For example, "By the time the rescue team arrived, they "had lost all hope" of survival".

What is the difference between "lost all hope" and "losing hope"?

"Lost all hope" indicates a complete absence of hope, while "losing hope" suggests a gradual decline in optimism. "Losing hope" implies there is still some hope remaining, whereas "lost all hope" suggests there is none.