lost for good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost for good" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is permanently lost and will not be recovered. Example: "After searching for hours, I realized my keys were lost for good."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"But they are never lost for good".

The New York Times - Books

Such evidence often usually lost for good.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However, it is not lost for good.

The New York Times - Magazine

Some of that revenue may now be lost for good.

The Economist

Tell us about the assets you've lost for good.

The Guardian - Opinion

As companies have gone bust, capacity has been lost for good.

The New York Times

"We would all have to be evacuated!" That would be paradise lost for good.

The Economist

After that date this year's tax-free individual savings account (ISA) allowance is lost for good.

Independent

Entire industries disappeared, and hundreds of thousands of jobs were lost for good.

The New Yorker

She said the buddy lists were not lost for good, but merely unavailable.

The New York Times

All records of how and when the fire started, and who caused it, were lost for good.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lost for good" when you want to emphasize the finality of a loss, whether it's a tangible object, an opportunity, or even an abstract concept like hope or trust.

Common error

Avoid using "lost for good" for situations that are merely delayed or temporarily misplaced. This phrase carries a strong sense of permanence; reserve it for situations where recovery is truly impossible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost for good" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to emphasize the finality and permanence of a loss. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lost for good" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something is permanently unrecoverable. Ludwig AI confirms that it's usable in written English. As exemplified by numerous contexts in Ludwig, this phrase is frequently encountered in News & Media, reflecting its relevance across diverse scenarios. When using "lost for good", ensure that the context genuinely reflects a permanent state and is not a temporary setback or delay. Alternatives like "gone forever" or "irretrievably lost" can be used to emphasize the finality of the loss.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gone for good

Similar to the original phrase but slightly less common.

gone forever

A more emphatic and absolute way to express permanent loss, focusing on the absence of return.

irretrievably lost

Highlights the impossibility of recovering what is lost, often used in formal contexts.

permanently lost

Directly states the loss is permanent, suitable for various contexts.

irreversibly gone

Highlights that the loss is permanent and cannot be undone.

vanished completely

Emphasizes the thorough disappearance of something.

unrecoverable

Emphasizes the inability to retrieve or regain something.

never to be found again

A more descriptive phrase emphasizing the lack of recovery.

beyond recovery

Suggests that the loss is irreversible and cannot be rectified.

lost without a trace

Emphasizes the mysterious or complete nature of the disappearance.

FAQs

How can I use "lost for good" in a sentence?

You can use "lost for good" to describe something that is permanently gone or unrecoverable. For example, "If we don't act now, this opportunity will be "lost for good"."

What are some alternatives to saying "lost for good"?

Alternatives to "lost for good" include "gone forever", "irretrievably lost", or "permanently lost", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "lose for good"?

No, the correct phrase is ""lost for good"". "Lose" is the verb, while "lost" is the past participle used as an adjective in this phrase.

What's the difference between "gone for good" and "lost for good"?

While both phrases indicate permanence, "gone for good" often implies a departure or disappearance, whereas ""lost for good"" typically refers to something misplaced or unrecoverable. The difference is subtle and context-dependent.