lost something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost something" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to misplacing an item or experiencing a loss of some kind. Example: "I realized I lost something important during the move." Alternative expressions include "misplaced something" and "forfeited something."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We've lost something".

The New York Times

I've lost something.

The New Yorker

"I have lost something.

The New Yorker

But we've lost something too.

The New York Times - Magazine

I may have lost something.

Cornell University

He had lost something.

The Washington Post

"We lost something fabulous.

The Guardian - Business

"We have lost something".

The Guardian - Books

These are people who've lost something.

The New York Times - Books

"Theo Wyre had lost something.

The Guardian - Books

All of us lost something".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lost something" when you want to generally express that something is missing or has been taken away. It's suitable for both tangible and intangible losses.

Common error

Be specific about what was lost. Instead of vaguely stating "I lost something", clarify what you lost, like "I lost my keys" or "I lost my confidence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost something" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "lost" is the past participle of the verb "lose", and "something" is a pronoun acting as the direct object. It expresses the state of no longer having possession of an object or abstract concept. As confirmed by Ludwig, the expression is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lost something" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is missing or has been taken away. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable across various contexts, although specifying what was lost improves clarity. While alternatives like "misplaced an item" or "no longer have it" exist, "lost something" remains a versatile and widely understood expression. Its frequency in news and media highlights its relevance in discussing both personal and broader societal losses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

am missing something

Highlights the current state of lacking something.

no longer have it

A simple and direct way of saying something is missing or gone.

had something stolen

Specifically refers to the loss of something due to theft.

misplaced an item

Focuses specifically on the act of misplacing a physical object.

can't find it anymore

Focuses on the inability to locate something that was previously possessed.

forfeited a possession

Emphasizes the loss of something due to a rule, penalty, or consequence.

suffered a deprivation

Highlights the experience of being deprived of something essential or important.

no longer possess it

Formal way of saying you don't have something anymore.

been dispossessed of

Implies being deprived of something, often land or property, by an external force.

have been parted from

Suggests a separation from something, whether voluntary or involuntary.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "lost something"?

You can use alternatives like "misplaced an item", "forfeited a possession", or "no longer have it" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I've lost something"?

Yes, "I've lost something" is grammatically correct. It's a common way to express that you are currently missing something.

How to use "lost something" in a sentence?

You can use "lost something" in sentences like: "He had "lost something" precious to him" or "I realized I had "lost something" important."

What's the difference between "lost something" and "missing something"?

"Lost something" generally implies that you had something and it is now gone. "Missing something" implies a lack or absence, which may or may not mean you possessed it before. For example, "I've lost my keys" vs. "I feel like I'm missing something in my life".