lost upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'lost upon' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe when someone does not understand something that was said or done, or when someone fails to notice something. For example, "His witty comment was lost upon the audience, who failed to notice the joke."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the charm is lost upon the occasional few.

The New York Times

The legacy of this place, it appears, is not lost upon its spectators.

The Guardian - Sport

But, the spoils of these blessings are not lost upon us.

Independent

The reference to the stone's "water" is lost upon most modern jewelry enthusiasts.

The New York Times

Still, the laws overwhelmingly favored those who possessed the land over those who possessed the objects lost upon it.

The New Yorker

If metal is immortal, then somewhere there lies the burnished button I lost upon my seventh birthday in a garden.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Many of us don't want that to be lost upon the reading of our sacred document," he said.

The New York Times

We find that the characteristic chromatin landscape at Drosophila promoters and enhancers is lost upon replication.

Cell

The interactions of compound 46 with these residues were lost upon mutation (Figure 6g-h).

Chemistry Central Journal

Expression of this atypical IGF-I receptor is developmentally regulated; hence this receptor is lost upon terminal differentiation.

Growth Hormone & IGF Research

Functionally, endogenous ponsin-2 expression of NRK-52E cells at cellular leading edges was lost upon knockdown of Fat1.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lost upon", ensure the subject's lack of understanding or appreciation is clear and relevant to the context. Avoid ambiguity by specifying who or what the concept was lost on.

Common error

Ensure that the subject experiencing the lack of understanding is clearly identified. Ambiguous phrasing can lead to confusion about who or what failed to comprehend or appreciate the concept.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost upon" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a lack of understanding, appreciation, or impact. Ludwig AI confirms its use in diverse contexts, where a concept or idea fails to register with a subject. For example, "The reference to the stone's 'water' is lost upon most modern jewelry enthusiasts."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lost upon" is a versatile prepositional phrase signifying a lack of understanding or appreciation. Ludwig AI attests to its correct usage across various domains, notably Science and News & Media. While grammatically sound and frequently employed, writers should ensure clarity regarding the subject experiencing this lack of comprehension. Alternatives such as "unappreciated by" or "failed to register with" may offer subtle variations in meaning. The phrase maintains a neutral register, lending itself to both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not understood by

Directly states a lack of understanding.

meant nothing to

Similar to "held no meaning for", emphasizing a lack of personal significance.

failed to register with

Indicates a failure to make an impression or be understood.

was wasted on

Conveys that something valuable was not appreciated by someone.

held no meaning for

Highlights the absence of significance or relevance.

unappreciated by

Focuses on a lack of appreciation rather than understanding.

escaped the notice of

Highlights that something was missed, not necessarily misunderstood.

unnoticed by

Emphasizes a lack of observation, differing from a lack of comprehension.

had no effect on

Focuses on a lack of impact, rather than understanding.

passed over

Suggests something was ignored or skipped, rather than misunderstood.

FAQs

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

You can use "lost upon" to indicate that something was not understood or appreciated by someone. For example, "The subtlety of the argument was "lost upon" the audience."

What's a good alternative to "lost upon"?

Alternatives to "lost upon" include "unappreciated by", "was not understood by", or "failed to register with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "lost on" or "lost upon"?

"Lost on" and "lost upon" are often interchangeable, but "lost upon" can sometimes carry a slightly more formal or emphatic tone. The choice depends on the desired register and the specific context.

What does it mean when something is "lost upon" someone?

When something is "lost upon" someone, it means they failed to understand, appreciate, or notice it. The information or concept did not have the intended effect or impact on them.