lost marks

USAGE SUMMARY

"lost marks" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You could use it to indicate a decline in someone's academic grades, for example: "Henry has been studying hard, but he still lost marks in his calculus test."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I completed it in the hotel but it was a rush and my referencing looked terrible and I lost marks.

The Guardian

Never fret over lost marks in previous exams and get depressed.

WikiHow

After you have done the exam you can see where you lost marks and whether this matches up with areas you struggled with when you were studying.

WikiHow

They may even show you the good and bad points of that essay and will identify where they picked up and lost marks.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Economists generally expect the report to show 60,000 more jobs lost, marking the sixth consecutive month of decline.

The New York Times

China loses marks because of a weak financial system.

The Economist

Even by having a comma in the wrong place you risk losing marks".

The Guardian

Chinese businesses can score highly on their environmental contribution but lose marks on human rights.

The Guardian

The Knicks are 9-6 againsteamsms with records of.500 or better and just 8-6 against clubs with losing marks.

The New York Times - Sports

I prefer to just note that if any undergraduate or graduate student in the UK wrote this in an exam, they would lose marks.

The New York Times

Some team members, such as Google, are strong on technique but could lose marks for style, especially from the Chinese judges.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing academic performance, use "lost marks" to specifically refer to points deducted due to errors, omissions, or failure to meet requirements. This provides a clear understanding of why a score was not as high as expected.

Common error

Avoid using "lost marks" as a synonym for lack of effort. "Lost marks" implies that points were potentially achievable but were missed due to specific mistakes, whereas lack of effort suggests a general absence of work. Instead, use it to highlight mistakes and oversights, rather than a lack of trying.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost marks" functions as a noun phrase, typically indicating a reduction in a score or grade due to errors, omissions, or penalties. As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes a decline in academic grades or performance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

33.3%

News & Media

33.3%

Science

33.3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost marks" is a grammatically correct expression denoting a reduction in a score or grade, typically due to errors or omissions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage, particularly in academic contexts. While not extremely frequent, its meaning is clear and consistently understood. The phrase is found in various sources, including news articles, wikis, and scientific publications. To avoid confusion, it should be carefully distinguished from similar phrases, such as "failed to score points", which indicates an inability to achieve a score in the first place, rather than a deduction. Overall, "lost marks" serves as a practical and concise way to describe a negative impact on a performance evaluation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mark deduction

Highlights the deduction of marks specifically.

deducted points

Emphasizes the act of subtracting points, often due to errors or penalties.

reduced score

Focuses on the resulting lower score after a deduction or poor performance.

grade reduction

Focuses specifically on the reduction of the final grade.

penalized points

Highlights that the reduction in points is a consequence of a specific rule or infraction.

dropped points

Implies a decrease in points, often due to an unexpected error or oversight.

score decreased

A general term indicating a lower overall score.

failed to score points

Indicates an inability to gain points in the first place, rather than losing existing ones.

forfeited points

Indicates points were lost due to a violation or failure to meet a requirement.

sacrificed points

Suggests points were given up intentionally or as a consequence of a strategic decision.

FAQs

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

You can use "lost marks" to indicate a deduction of points due to errors or omissions. For instance, "The student "lost marks" on the essay due to poor grammar and inaccurate citations."

What can I say instead of "lost marks"?

You can use alternatives like "deducted points", "reduced score", or "penalized points" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "lost marks" or "lose marks"?

"Lost marks" refers to marks that have already been deducted, indicating a past event. "Lose marks" refers to the potential for future deductions, indicating a future event.

What's the difference between "lost marks" and "failed to score points"?

"Lost marks" implies a deduction from a potentially achievable score. "Failed to score points" suggests an inability to gain points in the first place, indicating a fundamental lack of achievement.