might be lost

USAGE SUMMARY

"might be lost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can refer to past, present, or future possibilities. For example, "I'm worried that my wallet might be lost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The opportune moment might be lost.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Otherwise, I felt he might be lost".

The New York Times - Books

Who stands to gain and what might be lost?

University of California, Berkeley

The entire program -- and more -- might be lost.

Princeton University

While some low-wage jobs might be lost, the C.B.O.

The New York Times

These messages might be lost on Mr. Trump.

The New York Times

What might be lost in the rush toward creating one?

The New York Times

Alternatively he might be lost, frightened and exhausted.

The Guardian

And there are intangibles that might be lost by consolidation.

The New York Times

There is a concern that someday the distinct identity of the longhouse might be lost.

Procedia Engineering

"I just kept thinking about her story, and how it might be lost forever," Hu recalled.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "might be lost" to express uncertainty about the current or future location or state of something. It indicates a possibility, not a certainty. For example, "The keys might be lost, but I'll check again."

Common error

Avoid using "might be lost" when you want to express certainty. "Must be lost" indicates a strong likelihood or conclusion, while "might be lost" suggests uncertainty or possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "might be lost" functions as a modal verb construction, expressing a possibility or uncertainty about something being missing or irretrievable. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "might be lost" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for expressing uncertainty about something being missing or irretrievable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Its versatility makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, although it's most frequently encountered in news and media, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, remember to avoid confusing it with stronger expressions of certainty like "must be lost". Alternatives such as "could be misplaced" or "may be irretrievable" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. The phrase "might be lost" is a versatile means to express doubt about the status of something and is therefore a good element to keep in your writing toolbox.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be misplaced

Focuses on the possibility of unintentional misplacement.

may be irretrievable

Emphasizes the potential for something to be unrecoverable.

could go astray

Suggests a deviation from the correct path or process, leading to loss.

may disappear

Directly indicates the possibility of vanishing or ceasing to exist.

could vanish

Similar to 'may disappear' but with a stronger sense of sudden disappearance.

may be squandered

Highlights the possibility of resources or opportunities being wasted.

could be forfeited

Focuses on the possibility of losing something due to a rule or consequence.

may be wasted

Emphasizes that something may not be used effectively or appropriately.

could fail

Focuses on the potential lack of success or achievement.

may be in vain

Suggests that efforts might be fruitless or unproductive.

FAQs

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

You can use "might be lost" to express a possibility that something is missing or irretrievable. For example: "The data "might be lost" due to the system failure" or "If we don't hurry, our chance "might be lost"".

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

"Might be lost" and "could be lost" are often interchangeable, expressing similar levels of possibility. However, "might" sometimes suggests a slightly lower probability than "could". In most contexts, the difference is negligible.

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "could be misplaced", "may be irretrievable", or "could go astray" to convey a similar sense of possibility and uncertainty.

Is it correct to say "might be lose" instead of "might be lost"?

No, "might be lose" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "might be lost", where "lost" is the past participle of the verb "lose" and functions as an adjective describing the state of being missing.