lost control of

USAGE SUMMARY

"lost control of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something has been taken away from you or when you are no longer able to direct a situation. For example: After the accident, I lost control of my car and it slid into the ditch.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Soon Florus lost control of the situation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I lost control of my urine".

The Guardian

You have lost control of your future.

The New Yorker

"We lost control of them months ago.

The New Yorker

Had I lost control of the game?

Independent

"We lost control of the conversation".

The New York Times

We've lost control of the plane!

The Economist

I think he lost control of things.

The New Yorker

Russia lost control of the Baltic states and Finland, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The State Bank lost control of monetary growth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Labour also lost control of Plymouth.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lost control of" to clearly indicate a lack of command or regulation over a situation, object, or oneself. It's effective in conveying the point that something is no longer being managed or directed as intended.

Common error

Avoid confusing "lost control of" with "loose control of". "Lost" indicates a past event where control was relinquished, while "loose" suggests the control is weak or not strict, which has a different meaning. Always use "lost" to convey the meaning of relinquished command.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost control of" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of no longer being able to direct or manage something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The examples show this phrase used in various contexts, from physical objects to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lost control of" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used phrase to indicate a past state of relinquished command or management. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is widely accepted and can be applied to diverse scenarios. It is important to use "lost" rather than "loose" to accurately convey the intended meaning. This phrase appears most frequently in news and media, encyclopedias, and formal business contexts. When looking for alternatives, consider options like "relinquished command over", "spun out of control", or "failed to manage" depending on the specific nuance you wish to express. This versatility and clarity make "lost control of" a valuable and reliable phrase in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spun out of control

Emphasizes a rapid and escalating loss of control.

was unable to restrain

Highlights the failure to hold back or limit something.

relinquished command over

Focuses on formally giving up control, often in a structured setting.

failed to manage

Highlights the inability to effectively oversee or direct something.

ceased to govern

Indicates the ending of rule or governance.

abdicated authority over

Implies a voluntary surrender of power or responsibility.

proved unmanageable

Describes something that inherently resists control.

forfeited mastery of

Suggests a loss of skill or expertise leading to a loss of control.

exceeded capacity to regulate

Implies limits were surpassed, resulting in loss of control.

gone haywire

Informal; suggests something has become chaotic and uncontrollable.

FAQs

How can I use "lost control of" in a sentence?

The phrase "lost control of" indicates a state where one is no longer able to manage or direct something effectively. For example, "The driver "lost control of" the car on the icy road."

What can I say instead of "lost control of"?

You can use alternatives like "relinquished command over", "spun out of control", or "failed to manage" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say 'loose control of' instead of "lost control of"?

No, it is not correct. "Lost control of" implies a completed action where control was relinquished, while 'loose control' suggests a weak or lax level of control.

What's the difference between "lost control of" and "out of control"?

"Lost control of" describes the action of losing control, while "out of control" describes the state of being unmanaged or unrestrained. For example, "He lost control of the situation, and now it's "out of control"".