nothing has been lost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nothing has been lost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to convey that no valuable information, resources, or opportunities have been forfeited in a situation. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced during the project, I believe that nothing has been lost, and we can still achieve our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

General Discussion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Nothing has been lost.

The New Yorker

Nothing has been lost in translation.

The New York Times

Mr. Uygur was known at Lola for his house-cured meats and sausages, and nothing has been lost in translation.

The New York Times - Food

The White House now claims that nothing has been lost, though officials previously acknowledged large-scale purging, claiming they were accidental.

The New York Times

It is not that English offers him many ways of imitating Tolstoy's weird syntax, but that is no reason then to make out that nothing has been lost.

The Guardian - Books

"Some might say the camp and its bestial conditions had destroyed their human substance," he writes, but "I knew right then: everything will start over, nothing has been lost".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

He said Georgia did not start the war but had "no choice" but to respond to Russian military actions, and that nothing had been lost.

The Economist

"Nothing of significance" has been lost since the big storm last week, Mr. Blonsky said — just "a few small trees in our woodlands".

The New York Times

New York Times best-selling author Geneen Roth may be known for her spiritually infused writing, but when Roth lost her life savings in Bernie Madoff's infamous Ponzi scheme and a friend shared spiritual words of comfort ― "Nothing of value has been lost".

Huffington Post

Hessy Fernandez, Mr. McCain's spokeswoman for Hispanic issues, said he was conceding nothing and argued that Mr. Obama "has been losing support" among Hispanics since he clinched the nomination.

The New York Times

And if East had begun with a doubleton spade ace, nothing would have been lost.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nothing has been lost" to reassure that a situation, despite setbacks, has not resulted in irreversible damage or loss of essential qualities.

Common error

Avoid using "nothing has been lost" when there are clearly tangible or significant losses. This phrase is best used when the core value or potential remains intact, even if some aspects have changed or been temporarily affected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nothing has been lost" primarily functions as a declarative statement. It asserts that, despite potential setbacks or perceived negative outcomes, no essential value, resource, or opportunity has been forfeited. Ludwig AI confirms this by showing examples from various sources where the phrase conveys reassurance or resilience.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nothing has been lost" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that conveys reassurance, emphasizing the preservation of core value or potential despite setbacks. While not exceedingly common, it appears across diverse sources, notably news and media. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's positive and reassuring tone, making it suitable for formal and informal communication where highlighting resilience is key. It is important to ensure its use aligns with situations where essential qualities remain intact, avoiding its application where tangible losses are significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all is preserved

Focuses on the state of being kept safe or maintained.

everything is recovered

Emphasizes the act of regaining something that was missing or at risk.

no harm done

Indicates that there were no negative consequences or damages.

no damage occurred

States that there was no impairment or loss.

no value diminished

Highlights the idea that the worth of something remains unchanged.

integrity remains intact

Emphasizes the wholeness and unimpaired condition of something.

all is salvaged

Focuses on rescuing something from potential loss or ruin.

no assets depleted

Highlights that resources have not been used up or reduced.

everything is still there

Emphasizes the continued presence of something.

the essence remains

Focuses on the preservation of the fundamental nature or quality of something.

FAQs

How can I use "nothing has been lost" in a sentence?

You can use "nothing has been lost" to express that despite challenges or changes, the fundamental value or potential of something remains intact. For instance, "Despite the team's initial struggles, "nothing has been lost", and they still have a chance to win the championship."

What is a good alternative to "nothing has been lost"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "all is preserved", "everything is recovered", or "no harm done" to convey a similar meaning. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to emphasize.

Is it appropriate to use "nothing has been lost" in a formal setting?

Yes, "nothing has been lost" is suitable for formal settings, especially when reassuring stakeholders that a situation hasn't resulted in irreversible setbacks. However, ensure the context aligns with the phrase's emphasis on underlying value or potential remaining intact.

What's the difference between saying "nothing is lost" and "nothing has been lost"?

While both phrases are similar, "nothing has been lost" typically implies a process or period where something could have been lost, but wasn't. "Nothing is lost" is a more general statement about the current state with no specific implication of a past threat.