may be lost

USAGE SUMMARY

"may be lost" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express potential danger or uncertainty about something. For example, "The documents may be lost in transit, so we should take extra precautions to ensure their safe arrival."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Empathy may be lost.

The Guardian

The remaining five may be lost forever.

The New York Times - Arts

This is what may be lost.

The New York Times

Those accounts may be lost forever.

The Guardian - Books

Opportunities for transition to more sustainable PSS may be lost.

Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions

Soil carbon may be lost due to microbial respiration.

Columbia University

If you are not, you may be lost.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The subtleties may be lost to more Western palates, though.

The New York Times - Food

Passwords may be lost and Web sites forgotten.

The New York Times - Tech

Such niceties may be lost in this scorching campaign season.

The New York Times

Who knows what may be lost in the renovation?

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be lost", consider the degree of uncertainty you wish to convey. "May" indicates a possibility, not a certainty. Choose stronger modal verbs if you want to express a higher probability.

Common error

While both express possibility, "may" suggests a slightly higher degree of likelihood than "might". Use "may be lost" when the risk of loss is somewhat more probable based on available evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be lost" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing possibility or uncertainty about something disappearing or being misplaced. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

42%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be lost" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express the possibility of something disappearing or being misplaced. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing. Its frequency is high, making it a common expression in the English language. When using "may be lost", be mindful of the slight difference in probability compared to "might be lost", and consider stronger modal verbs for higher certainty. Understanding its function and purpose will enhance the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might disappear

Emphasizes the act of vanishing or ceasing to exist, often unexpectedly or mysteriously.

could be misplaced

Indicates a possibility of being put in the wrong place, suggesting temporary unavailability rather than complete loss.

might be squandered

Focuses on the wasteful aspect of something being lost, implying mismanagement or poor use.

could be unrecoverable

Similar to 'might be irretrievable', emphasizing the impossibility of getting something back after it is lost.

could go astray

Suggests deviating from the correct path, leading to potential loss or failure to reach its intended destination.

might be irretrievable

Highlights the permanent nature of the loss, suggesting that recovery is impossible.

could be forfeited

Implies losing something as a penalty or consequence of not meeting certain conditions or obligations.

might vanish without a trace

Indicates a disappearance that is complete and leaves no evidence behind, emphasizing the mystery of the loss.

might cease to exist

Focuses on the complete termination of something's existence, indicating a more profound loss.

could be depleted

Refers specifically to resources or supplies that are reduced or exhausted, leading to their effective loss.

FAQs

How can I use "may be lost" in a sentence?

You can use "may be lost" to express the possibility of something disappearing or being misplaced. For example, "The data "may be lost" if the server crashes."

What's the difference between "may be lost" and "might be lost"?

"May" generally indicates a higher probability than "might". So, "may be lost" implies a slightly greater risk of being lost compared to "might be lost".

What can I say instead of "may be lost"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "could be misplaced", "might disappear", or "could go astray".

Is it correct to say "maybe lost"?

While "maybe" means "perhaps", it's typically used as an adverb modifying a verb. "May be lost" is the more grammatically sound way to express the possibility of something being lost.