lost his uncle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost his uncle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who has experienced the death of their uncle or has become estranged from him. Example: "After the tragic news, he felt a deep sense of sorrow because he lost his uncle last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Yasser Malik lost his uncle.

The New York Times

Amer Fahim Ahmed lost his uncle.

The New York Times

He lost his uncle, adopted mother, sisters and brother.

The Guardian - Opinion

The man, Tamur Bura Idriss, 31, said he lost his uncle and grandfather.

The New York Times

Ali, who was originally from Iraq, had lost his uncle while queueing for food.

The Guardian - Arts

He'd also lost his uncle, brother and 45 other members of his extended family, he told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

3 where did the Emperor of India lose his uncle to a single gunshot? 4 which authority on tubes was elected to the presidency at Burlington House? 5 who established the relation between an element's X-ray frequency and its atomic number?

The Guardian

Nineteen-year-old Abdul Rahman, who left the islands after losing his uncle, told me that, despite attempts to prove his Somali origin, the British government still expects him to go to Kenya.

Vice

Nineteen-year-old Abdul Rahman, who left the islands after losing his uncle, told me that, despite attempts to prove his Somali origin, the Home Office still expects him to go to Kenya.

Vice

Said, Manal told me, "lost his father, uncle, aunt, sister — they were all killed.

The New York Times - Magazine

"If there was security in the south, why would we come here?" said Abdullah Khan, 50, who lost his father, uncle and a female relative in the bombing of their home last year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone who "lost his uncle", provide context about the relationship or the circumstances of the loss to add depth and emotional resonance to the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "lost his uncle" when referring to a disagreement or estrangement. Instead, use phrases like "became estranged from his uncle" or "had a falling out with his uncle" to convey the intended meaning accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost his uncle" functions as a verb phrase indicating the experience of bereavement due to the death of one's uncle. Ludwig confirms this usage, presenting it as a grammatically correct and understandable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost his uncle" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the passing of someone's uncle. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to convey a personal loss in a neutral register. While generally indicating death, it's crucial to distinguish this meaning from estrangement, suggesting alternative phrases to maintain clarity. Knowing these nuances helps ensure accurate and empathetic communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mourned his uncle

Focuses on the act of grieving rather than the loss itself.

grieved for his uncle

Emphasizes the emotional suffering experienced due to the uncle's death.

suffered the loss of his uncle

Focuses on the negative impact and pain caused by the uncle's passing.

bereaved his uncle

Highlights the state of being deprived by the loss, specifically referring to the uncle.

experienced the death of his uncle

A more formal and detached way of stating the event.

his uncle passed away

A euphemistic and gentler way of saying someone died.

faced the passing of his uncle

Highlights the act of confronting the event of death.

his uncle is deceased

A formal term indicating that the uncle has died.

his uncle was taken from him

Implies a sense of injustice or unexpectedness in the death.

endured his uncle's demise

Emphasizes the process of suffering through the period surrounding the uncle's death.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says they "lost his uncle"?

It typically means that the person's uncle has passed away. However, it could also mean that the person has become estranged from their uncle, though this usage is less common.

What is a more formal way to say someone "lost his uncle"?

A more formal way to express this would be to say that "his uncle passed away" or "he experienced the death of his uncle".

Can "lost his uncle" refer to being estranged from an uncle?

While primarily used to indicate the death of an uncle, "lost his uncle" could, in some contexts, refer to estrangement. To avoid ambiguity, it's better to use phrases like "became estranged from his uncle" or "had a falling out".

What are some alternative phrases to "lost his uncle" that emphasize grief?

Phrases like "mourned his uncle" or "grieved for his uncle" can be used to specifically highlight the act of grieving following the uncle's death.