to be lost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be lost" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used as a passive verb form to indicate that something or someone has become lost. It can also be used as an adjective phrase to describe the state of being lost. Example 1: "The keys are nowhere to be found. They must be lost." Example 2: "He went on a hike and got lost in the woods for hours." Example 3: "The old book was thought to be lost, but it was discovered in the attic." Example 4: "The directions were confusing, causing us to be lost for over an hour." Example 5: "Feeling overwhelmed and alone, she realized that she was truly lost in life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I wanted it to be lost.

The New Yorker

The visitor had appeared to be lost.

The New York Times

America's about to be lost, man.

The New York Times

How many lives have to be lost?

The New York Times

"I like to be lost," he replied.

The New York Times - Arts

All seems to be lost.

The New York Times

"I wanted to be lost.

The New York Times - Books

I don't want it to be lost".

The New Yorker

"I need to be lost," he says.

The New York Times

"But it didn't have to be lost," McFate said.

The New Yorker

That leaves time for plenty of money to be lost.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be lost" to express a state of being missing, confused, or wasted, ensuring the context clearly indicates which meaning is intended. For example, "The keys are to be lost" (missing), versus "The opportunity is to be lost" (wasted).

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "to be lost" in passive sentences, which can make writing sound weak or convoluted. Instead, opt for active voice where possible. For example, instead of "The game was to be lost by our team", consider "Our team would lose the game."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to be lost" is as an infinitive phrase, often serving as a complement to a verb or adjective. It expresses a potential state or condition. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be lost" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase expressing a potential state of being missing, disoriented, or wasted. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and enjoys frequent usage across diverse contexts. Its versatility allows it to convey both physical and metaphorical senses of loss. While widely applicable, it's important to avoid overuse in passive constructions and to choose the most appropriate alternative based on the intended nuance. Common contexts include News & Media, Wiki and Science, while it occurs less frequently in Formal & Business or Social Media. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ the phrase, solidifying its place in standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to go missing

Focuses on the disappearance aspect, often implying a search or investigation.

to become disoriented

Emphasizes the feeling of confusion and lack of direction, particularly in a physical sense.

to be misplaced

Suggests a temporary loss, with an expectation of recovery.

to be gone astray

Implies a deviation from the correct path or moral principles.

to be forfeited

Indicates a loss due to a rule violation or consequence.

to be squandered

Highlights the wasteful loss of something valuable, like time or resources.

to be bereft of

Emphasizes the state of being deprived or lacking something essential.

to be unaccounted for

Focuses on the lack of explanation or tracking for something that is missing.

to be adrift

Suggests a lack of direction or purpose, often in a metaphorical sense.

to be consumed

Highlights the total disappearance or destruction of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be lost" to indicate something is missing, such as "The documents are to be lost", or to express confusion, as in "He is to be lost in the city."

What's a good alternative to using "to be lost"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "to go missing", "to become disoriented", or "to be misplaced".

Is it correct to say "being lost" instead of "to be lost"?

While "being lost" is grammatically correct, it carries a different meaning. "To be lost" expresses a potential or future state, while "being lost" describes a current or ongoing state.

What's the difference between "to be lost" and "to get lost"?

"To be lost" typically describes a state of being missing or confused. "To get lost" describes the action of becoming lost. For example, "The file is to be lost" means it's missing. "I don't want "to become disoriented"" means I don't want to become lost.