lost sight of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost sight of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of no longer being able to see or understand something, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "In the chaos of daily life, I have lost sight of my original goals and aspirations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Have we lost sight of that?

The New Yorker

But then he lost sight of her.

The New York Times

I have never lost sight of that.

The Guardian - Music

They've lost sight of the service attitude.

The New York Times

He had lost sight of his homework".

The New York Times

He has lost sight of God".

The Guardian

We have lost sight of that".

The Guardian

They've lost sight of the game.

The New York Times - Sports

I had lost sight of him.

The New Yorker

But it never lost sight of him.

The New York Times

"I lost sight of Lamond Murray.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lost sight of" in writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether it refers to a literal inability to see something or a metaphorical loss of focus or understanding. For instance, "He lost sight of the ship in the fog" (literal) versus "They lost sight of their original goals" (metaphorical).

Common error

Avoid using "lost sight of" in contexts where a more direct and literal description is appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The importance was lost sight of", consider "The importance was forgotten" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost sight of" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It typically expresses a failure to remember, consider, or understand something, or a literal inability to see something. Ludwig examples illustrate both literal and figurative usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lost sight of" is a versatile idiomatic phrase that signifies either a literal or figurative loss of vision or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While applicable in both formal and informal settings, it's essential to ensure clarity in its intended meaning. Alternatives like "forgotten about" or "overlooked" can provide more directness in certain situations. This phrase can enrich your writing if used mindfully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lost track of

Suggests a gradual drifting away from awareness.

forgotten about

Indicates a complete loss of memory or consideration.

overlooked

Suggests a failure to notice or consider something important.

neglected to consider

Highlights a failure to give due attention to something.

failed to notice

Focuses on the act of not perceiving something.

became oblivious to

Emphasizes a state of unawareness.

stopped considering

Highlights the cessation of thinking about something.

disregarded

Indicates a conscious decision to ignore something.

ceased to perceive

Highlights a stopping in the process of perceiving or understanding something.

misremembered

Related to remembering incorrectly, a form of losing sight of facts.

FAQs

What does "lost sight of" mean?

The phrase "lost sight of" can mean either a literal inability to see something or a metaphorical loss of focus, understanding, or memory regarding something. Context is essential to discern the intended meaning.

How can I use "lost sight of" in a sentence?

You can use "lost sight of" to describe a situation where someone has forgotten or neglected something important, such as "We "lost sight of" our initial objectives during the project."

What are some alternatives to "lost sight of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "forgotten about", "overlooked", or "lost track of". Choose the one that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "lose sight of" or "lost sight of"?

The correct tense depends on the context. Use "lose sight of" for present or future scenarios (e.g., "Don't lose sight of your goals"), and "lost sight of" for past scenarios (e.g., "I lost sight of him in the crowd").