lost trace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost trace" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the disappearance or absence of evidence or information about something or someone. Example: "After the storm, we lost trace of the missing hikers." Alternative expressions include "lost track" and "lost sight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

PA decided to discover whether police forces had lost trace of registered sex offenders.

The Guardian

He was under surveillance as an Islamist sympathiser but French security services lost trace of him after he returned from Syria in spring 2014.

Independent

French officials and police and their Belgian counterparts are facing criticism over how they lost trace of Abdeslam in the hours after the attacks that left 130 dead.

The Guardian

The debate intensified in February with the publication of a study by the German Youth Institute, which found that the anonymous services had lost trace of a fifth of all abandoned babies.

The Economist

In February the German Youth Institute found that the anonymous service had lost trace of a fifth of all abandoned babies – giving ammunition to those who want to end the practice.

The Guardian

"We've lost trace of the family.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Grand grew up in Birmingham – she has never lost traces of her accent – the only child of a cancer research scientist and a teacher.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

From Kingston-upon-Thames heading north-west to Hatton Cross you get a good eight-mile section with lost traces of royal parks, avenues planted by Christopher Wren and James I and deer herds started by Henry VIII, then the strange Shot Tower, a gunpowder mill from 1766, which has great views from the top of its 87 steps.

The Guardian - Travel

Figure 3 shows that the object tracker can deal with occlusions, as it did not lose trace of the tracked person after the occlusion occurred.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Our cells need water to operate, and because we lose traces of our internal stores with every sweat we break, every breath and excretion we out-take, we must constantly consume more water, or we will die in three days.

The New York Times - Science

The algorithms RA and SWA show a tendency to lose traces with high average reversal length.

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lost trace" when you want to emphasize the difficulty or inability to find someone or something. It suggests a complete disappearance or lack of discernible information.

Common error

Avoid using "lost trace" when you simply mean something is misplaced. "Lost trace" implies a deeper sense of disappearance or that efforts to find something have been unsuccessful. Consider using "misplaced" or "lost" if the object is simply not where it should be.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost trace" functions as a verb phrase. It typically describes a situation where tracking or finding something or someone becomes impossible. Ludwig AI, in its analysis, indicates that it follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lost trace" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the disappearance or undetectability of someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While not exceedingly common, it appears across various contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Related phrases include "disappeared without a trace" and "vanished without a trace", offering similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disappeared without a trace

This alternative emphasizes the complete absence of any sign or indication.

vanished without a trace

Similar to 'disappeared without a trace', this highlights the sudden and mysterious nature of the disappearance.

became untraceable

Emphasizes the inability to find or follow something's path.

gone missing

This option is a more general term for someone or something that is no longer present.

unaccounted for

This phrase suggests that someone or something is missing and their whereabouts are unknown.

lost all contact

Highlights a complete cessation of communication or connection.

out of contact

This means communication has stopped; often used for people.

can't be found

This is a straightforward way of saying that something or someone cannot be located.

can't be located

Similar to 'can't be found', but perhaps more formal.

lost track of

Indicates a failure to maintain awareness of someone or something.

FAQs

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

You can use "lost trace" to indicate that someone or something has disappeared completely, such as, "The investigators "lost trace" of the suspect after he crossed the border."

What is a good alternative to "lost trace"?

Alternatives include "disappeared without a trace", "vanished without a trace", or "gone missing", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "lost trace of" or "lost track of"?

"Lost trace of" usually implies a complete disappearance or inability to find something, while "lost track of" suggests a temporary inability to follow something's progress or maintain awareness of its location or status.

What does it mean when someone has been "lost without a trace"?

When someone is "lost without a trace", it means they have disappeared completely, and there is no evidence or information about their current whereabouts. It indicates a mysterious and unexplained disappearance.