lost material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to items or content that have been misplaced or are no longer available. Example: "The team is currently searching for the lost material that was essential for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Within a few moves, she had lost material and resigned after only 24 moves.

The New York Times

Mr. Gilliam dismissed the idea that the lost material could be recreated through digital effects.

The New York Times

The ramphotheca is worn down by normal use and, in most birds, is capable of growing to replace the lost material.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His films, which combined archival footage, still photographs and fresh interviews, were triumphs of curiosity and persistence in unearthing lost material about forgotten subjects.

The New York Times

Though Perez could have taken Sadorra's knight by playing 19 fe5, after 19 ... de5, Sadorra would pinned Perez's knight on d4 and won back his lost material.

The New York Times

Some of the recovered emails were read out in court as part of a set of agreed facts about the lost material.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Materials makers lost 0.6 percent, the second most in the benchmark index.

The New York Times

Soft tissue reconstruction is a challenge in plastic surgery, when replacing lost materials and correcting contour defects.

Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery

The cost of purchasing and replacing lost materials was a barrier to education.

BMC Health Services Research

On the other hand, lost materials cost a lot to replace.

WikiHow

In most schools, there is no work to be done, simply the returning of text books and supplies, as well as students paying fines for lost materials.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "lost material", be specific about what type of material is missing (e.g. data, documents, equipment) to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "lost material" as a catch-all term. If possible, identify the specific items or resources that are missing to provide more useful information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost material" functions as a noun phrase where "lost" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "material". It typically refers to items, documents, or resources that are missing or have been misplaced. Ludwig shows various examples across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

44%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Science & Research

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lost material" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term, as affirmed by Ludwig. It serves to describe items or resources that are missing or misplaced. Its use spans across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias, indicating a broad applicability. While it’s important to be specific about the type of "lost material" to provide clarity, the phrase itself is well-understood and widely accepted. Remember to consider related terms like "missing items" or "misplaced items" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

missing items

Focuses on the physical absence of tangible objects.

misplaced items

Suggests the items are not permanently lost but rather in an incorrect location.

mislaid articles

Implies temporary displacement of objects.

unrecoverable resources

Emphasizes the inability to retrieve or regain the material.

vanished supplies

Suggests a sudden and mysterious disappearance of resources.

irretrievable content

Highlights the impossibility of retrieving digital data or information.

unaccounted for goods

Focuses on the lack of tracking or explanation for the materials' absence.

destroyed documents

Focuses on physical damage or destruction rendering the material unusable.

discarded substances

Indicates materials that have been thrown away or rejected.

squandered resources

Highlights the waste or misuse of materials.

FAQs

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

You can use "lost material" to refer to items that are missing or have been misplaced. For example: "The company is trying to recover the "lost material" before the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "lost material"?

Alternatives to "lost material" include "missing items", "misplaced items", or "unrecoverable resources", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "lose material" instead of "lost material"?

"Lose material" refers to the act of losing something, while "lost material" refers to the material itself that has been lost. For example: 'They don't want to "lose material" during the experiment,' versus 'The search continues for the "lost material".'

What is the difference between "lost material" and "waste material"?

"Lost material" refers to material that has been misplaced or is missing, while "waste material" refers to discarded or unusable material. They are not interchangeable.