seems to be lost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems to be lost" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where something or someone appears to be misplaced or not found. Example: "After searching for hours, it seems to be lost in the chaos of the move."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All seems to be lost.

The New York Times

This seems to be lost in the online world.

The Guardian - Tech

The irony seems to be lost on her.

The Guardian

An intriguing, vaguely sinister presence onstage, he seems to be lost in his own world..

The New Yorker

But great success of business in creating good jobs seems to be lost in this campaign.

The New York Times

What increasingly seems to be lost is the individuality and, often, integrity of the student.

The New York Times

This is a point that seems to be lost on John Ashcroft.

The New York Times

The idea of responsibility seems to be lost on the administration.

The New York Times

Spotlight is also a more vital film – a fact that seems to be lost on Oldman.

The Guardian - Film

An intriguing, vaguely sinister presence onstage, he seems to be lost in his own world...

The New Yorker

I would give almost anything to have a good video of that production, but it seems to be lost.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seems to be lost", ensure the context clearly indicates what is missing, forgotten, or misunderstood. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject and its prior state or expected location.

Common error

Avoid using "seems to be lost" in overly general situations where the meaning becomes diluted. Replace it with more specific phrasing such as "appears to be forgotten" or "seems to be misplaced" to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems to be lost" functions as a qualifier, indicating a perceived state of being missing, forgotten, or misunderstood. It often modifies a subject, suggesting a lack of clarity or presence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

23%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seems to be lost" is a versatile expression used to convey a sense of something missing, forgotten, or misunderstood. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. It is commonly found in news and media, as well as in scientific writing. While the phrase is generally neutral, it is important to provide clear context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "appears to be missing" or "seems to have vanished" can offer more precise meanings depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears to be missing

Emphasizes the lack of something that was previously present.

seems to have vanished

Suggests a sudden and complete disappearance.

appears to be forgotten

Focuses on the lack of memory or consideration.

seems to be misplaced

Indicates something is not in its correct location.

appears to be misunderstood

Highlights a lack of correct understanding.

seems to be slipping away

Conveys a gradual disappearance or decline.

appears to have faded

Implies a loss of clarity or importance over time.

seems to be escaping notice

Suggests something is not being observed or recognized.

appears to be disregarded

Emphasizes a lack of attention or importance given to something.

seems to be unheeded

Indicates that advice or a warning is not being listened to.

FAQs

What does "seems to be lost" mean?

The phrase "seems to be lost" indicates that something or someone appears to be missing, forgotten, or not understood in a particular context. It suggests a sense of absence or a lack of comprehension.

How can I use "seems to be lost" in a sentence?

You can use "seems to be lost" to describe anything from a physical object to an abstract concept. For example: "The key "seems to be lost"" or "The point "seems to be lost" on him."

What can I say instead of "seems to be lost"?

You can use alternatives like "appears to be missing", "appears to be forgotten", or "seems to have vanished" depending on the context.

Is "seems to be lost" formal or informal?

The phrase "seems to be lost" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the specific context and surrounding language will ultimately determine the overall tone.