that were lost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that were lost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to items, people, or concepts that are no longer present or have been misplaced. Example: "The documents that were lost during the move have finally been found."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The games that were lost were made up".

The New York Times - Sports

"We can't bring back the friends that were lost.

Independent

"We will bring out some of the details that were lost".

The New York Times - Arts

Here, new jobs eventually emerged after JVC's departure, though not as many jobs that were lost.

The New York Times

Tells how the worksmen had to relearn amber techniques that were lost years ago.

The New Yorker

It's important to celebrate, but we also have to remember the lives that were lost".

The New York Times

We share the profound sadness for the nearly 3,000 lives that were lost.

The New York Times

And it is emotional always and everywhere, from the reminders of the lives that were lost.

The New York Times

… And that's what we owe soldiers like Ryan and all the comrades that were lost.

The New Yorker

"The three years that were lost were lost," Mr. Gilady said.

The New York Times

The payload also includes 25 students' experiments that were lost on the earlier SpaceX flight.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that were lost", ensure the context clearly indicates what or who was lost and the circumstances surrounding the loss. For example, "the opportunities that were lost during the negotiation" provides more clarity than simply "the things that were lost".

Common error

Be specific about what "that were lost" refers to. Avoid vague references that leave the reader guessing. Instead of saying, "Many things that were lost are now found", specify, "Many documents that were lost in the fire are now found preserved digitally."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that were lost" functions as a relative clause, specifically a restrictive (or defining) relative clause. It modifies a noun, providing essential information about which specific items, people, or concepts are being referred to. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that were lost" is a grammatically correct and versatile relative clause used to specify items, people, or concepts that are no longer present or available. As Ludwig AI states, its meaning is clear and its use is widespread across various contexts, especially in news and media and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating what was lost to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "that disappeared" or "that went missing" can provide subtle differences in meaning. By keeping these tips in mind, you can effectively use "that were lost" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that disappeared

Focuses on the act of vanishing or becoming unseen.

that went missing

Highlights the state of being absent and unaccounted for.

that had vanished

Emphasizes the complete and often mysterious disappearance.

that are now gone

Simply states the absence or non-existence of something.

that were misplaced

Suggests a temporary loss due to being put in the wrong place.

which are now absent

Focuses on the current state of being not present.

that were squandered

Implies a wasteful loss of something valuable.

that were forfeited

Indicates a loss due to a rule or consequence.

that were irretrievable

Highlights the impossibility of recovering what was lost.

that are unrecoverable

Emphasizes the inability to get something back.

FAQs

How can I use "that were lost" in a sentence?

Use "that were lost" to refer to something missing or no longer available. For instance, "The artifacts "that were lost" during the earthquake were eventually recovered".

What's a good alternative to "that were lost"?

Alternatives include phrases like "that disappeared", "that went missing", or "that had vanished", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "that were lost" or "which were lost"?

Both "that were lost" and "which were lost" can be grammatically correct. "That" is generally used for restrictive clauses (essential to the sentence's meaning), while "which" is used for non-restrictive clauses (adding extra information). For example, "The files that were lost contained sensitive information" (essential) versus "The files, which were lost, contained sensitive information" (additional information).

Can "that were lost" refer to abstract concepts?

Yes, "that were lost" can refer to abstract concepts such as opportunities, time, or memories. For example, "The opportunities "that were lost" during the recession significantly impacted the company's growth".