lost days

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost days" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to days that have been wasted or unproductive, often in the context of time management or missed opportunities. Example: "Due to the unexpected delays in the project, we have unfortunately lost days that could have been used for development."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

For TTH, lost days were generally about 1 day per 3 months, with lost housework days somewhat higher (1.6) in females.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The economic cost of lost work time was calculated by multiplying the lost days by the earnings that patients in the sample received (calculated as a daily figure).

The Journal of Headache and Pain

(Already he has cut the lost days in half).

The New York Times - Magazine

In my life I have lost days with my children.

The Guardian - Books

Those lost days still live among us, written in each person's hand, turned into stories.

The New York Times - Books

Since November 1990 there hasn't been a single month above 2 million lost days.

Independent

(Mr Chamakh says he makes up the lost days later in the year).

The Economist

The total of lost days for 2016 is still historically low.

The Guardian - Opinion

This riddle unites Chen, Little Xi and a band of "nonforgetters" determined to learn what happened in those lost days.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Thus 87.5% of people losing days through absenteeism contributed little to lost days through presenteeism.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

An interesting finding to emerge, and perhaps related to this, was that 87.5% of people losing days through absenteeism contributed little to lost days through presenteeism.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of illness or external factors on productivity, use "lost days" to quantify the time lost from work or school. For instance, "The flu season resulted in numerous "lost days" across the company".

Common error

While "lost days" can refer to missed opportunities, avoid using it in excessively metaphorical contexts where a more specific term would provide clarity. For example, instead of saying "He spent his "lost days" searching for meaning," consider "He spent his time searching for meaning".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost days" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It typically refers to days that were unproductive, missed, or unavailable for work, school, or other activities. Ludwig's examples confirm this use, showing it's frequently used in contexts of illness, disruptions, or economic impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lost days" is a common and grammatically correct phrase that refers to unproductive or missed days, often due to illness, disruptions, or other factors. It's used across various contexts, including science, news, and business, with a neutral to formal register. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating its use in quantifying the negative impact on productivity and economic activity. According to Ludwig, the phrase is deemed usable in written English, highlighting its role in discussing time lost due to various circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wasted days

Replaces "lost" with "wasted", emphasizing the unproductive nature of the days.

unproductive days

Focuses on the lack of productivity during those days.

missed days

Highlights the aspect of opportunities or obligations that were not met.

idle days

Suggests a lack of activity or work during those days.

forgone days

Emphasizes the act of giving up or sacrificing those days.

unaccounted-for days

Highlights a lack of record or explanation for the time.

days gone by

Focuses on the past nature of those days, often with a nostalgic tone.

irretrievable days

Emphasizes the impossibility of recovering the time.

lapse of days

Suggests a period of inactivity or decline.

times lost

A more abstract way of expressing the same concept, using "times" instead of "days".

FAQs

How can I use "lost days" in a sentence?

You can use "lost days" to refer to time missed due to illness, disruptions, or other reasons. For example, "The strike resulted in many "lost days" of production".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "lost days"?

Alternatives include "wasted days", "unproductive days", or "missed days", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "lost days" when referring to time spent unproductively?

Yes, "lost days" can be used to describe days spent unproductively. It implies that the time could have been used more effectively, such as the examples found using Ludwig.

What is the economic impact of "lost days" due to illness?

The economic impact of "lost days" can be significant, encompassing reduced productivity, increased healthcare costs, and potential loss of revenue for businesses, as highlighted in several studies.