lost impetus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost impetus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where momentum or motivation has diminished or been lost. Example: "The project initially gained a lot of support, but it has since lost impetus due to lack of funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

A state-backed plan to crunch them together seems to have lost impetus.

The New York Times

It was only when he was peripheral that England lost impetus.

The Guardian - Sport

When the event was over, Anthony and I worried that we had lost impetus.

The Guardian - Opinion

By the finale, there were doubts about the architecture of the reading, which lost impetus at times.

The Guardian - Music

The sluggishness of European economies is no surprise to anyone; America also seems to have lost impetus after an encouraging start to the year.

The Economist

Last Thursday's announcement abolishing the subsidies brought thousands of people onto the streets of Bucharest for four days running, but the protest lost impetus Monday when only a few hundred people gathered at University Square.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

He has not brought the country with him on Syria; he delivered a lacklustre speech in the debate and it increasingly appears that he is losing impetus on his EU renegotiation talks.

The Guardian

For example, the drive for conformity can be traced at least to the Council of Trent, whose final sessions were in 1563; but it was visibly losing impetus, despite Louis XIV's intolerant policy leading to the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685), after the Peace of Westphalia.

Britannica

This was overtaken by UK prime minister Theresa May calling the June 2017 UK general election, which resulted in the SNP winning the most votes and seats in Scotland, but losing impetus with the loss of 21 of 56 Westminster seats.

The Guardian - Opinion

That said, this handwriting signature appears to lose impetus and pressure half way through 'Justin' until the end of 'Bieber'.

BBC

The statehood drive will also shortly lose impetus within Puerto Rico.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lost impetus" to describe a situation where a project, movement, or initiative has slowed down or stalled after an initial period of progress or enthusiasm. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the contrast between the earlier momentum and the current state.

Common error

Avoid attributing the "lost impetus" solely to external factors without considering internal issues such as lack of resources, poor planning, or waning interest within the team. A comprehensive analysis often reveals a combination of contributing factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost impetus" functions as a verbal phrase that often acts as a predicate, indicating a state of decline or cessation of forward movement. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it describes situations where momentum or motivation has diminished.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lost impetus" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a decline in momentum or motivation. While not overly frequent, it appears consistently in reliable sources like The Guardian and The New York Times. Ludwig AI confirms that it's generally used in a neutral register to explain a reduction in progress. When writing, ensure you analyze both internal and external factors contributing to the "lost impetus", and consider alternatives like "lost momentum" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lost momentum

A direct synonym, focusing on the loss of forward movement and speed.

waned in momentum

Focuses on the fading of forward movement, suggesting a gradual decrease in speed or force.

lost steam

Suggests a reduction in the driving force or enthusiasm behind something.

faded in drive

Highlights the diminishing of inherent motivation or ambition.

declined in intensity

Highlights a reduction in the strength or degree of something.

diminished in force

Emphasizes the reduction of power or strength behind an action or movement.

petered out

Implies a gradual decline to insignificance or nothingness.

flagged in energy

Indicates a decrease in enthusiasm and vitality.

stalled

Indicates a complete halt in progress or movement.

ground to a halt

Suggests a slow and difficult stopping of progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "lost impetus" to describe a decline in momentum or enthusiasm for a project, idea, or movement. For example, "The campaign initially gained traction, but it soon "lost impetus" due to lack of funding".

What are some alternatives to "lost impetus"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "lost momentum", "waned in momentum", or "lost steam" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "lost impetus" or "losing impetus"?

Both "lost impetus" and "losing impetus" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Lost impetus" implies a completed action, while "losing impetus" suggests an ongoing process. Choose the phrase that best fits the context of your sentence.

What's the difference between "lost impetus" and "lost initiative"?

"Lost impetus" refers to a decline in momentum or driving force, while "lost initiative" suggests a failure to take the first step or to pursue a course of action. Although related, they emphasize different aspects of inaction or decline.