we lost him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we lost him" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that someone has become separated from a group or cannot be found. Example: "We were hiking in the mountains and accidentally took different paths. We tried calling out his name, but unfortunately, we lost him in the dense forest." Another example: "After searching for hours, we realized that we had lost him in the crowded mall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Personal narratives

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Too bad we lost him".

The New York Times

We lost him for several games.

The New York Times - Sports

We lost him once in transition.

The New York Times - Sports

"We lost him," a nurse said.

The New York Times - Magazine

We lost him too soon, and we mourn him terribly.

The New York Times

"Yes, we lost him," was all he could say.

The New York Times

It's not what happened, that we lost him; it's how we deal with it.

The New York Times - Sports

Armstrong died Saturday at 82. "We lost him yesterday," Glenn said.

The New York Times

"We went through this last year where we lost him for three months.

The New York Times

Until we lost him when I was 16, he was a gentle presence in my life.

The New York Times

We even had a cat called Boycie, but we lost him".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we lost him" to describe a death, be mindful of the audience and context. In some situations, a more direct or euphemistic phrase may be more appropriate.

Common error

Ensure the context clarifies whether "we lost him" refers to physical disappearance, death, or a more abstract loss (e.g., losing someone to a rival team). Ambiguity can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "we lost him" is to express the completion of an action (losing) directed towards a person. As supported by Ludwig AI, this phrase indicates separation, death, or failure to maintain contact with an individual.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

25%

Personal narratives

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

8%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we lost him" is a versatile expression commonly used to convey the disappearance, death, or detachment of an individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used in English. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news reports to personal stories. When employing "we lost him", clarity is paramount to avoid ambiguity. Whether indicating physical disappearance, death, or a more abstract separation, providing sufficient context is crucial. Depending on the situation, consider using more direct or euphemistic phrases, such as "he passed away" or "we couldn't find him", for enhanced precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we couldn't find him

Focuses on the inability to locate someone, implying a search was conducted.

we misplaced him

Indicates a temporary loss, suggesting the person or object is likely to be found soon.

we lost track of him

Implies a gradual loss of connection, often due to distance or time.

we were separated from him

Highlights the act of becoming divided or parted from someone.

he vanished

Indicates a sudden and mysterious disappearance.

we let him slip away

Suggests a gradual or negligent loss, implying a lack of effort to retain someone.

we failed to protect him

Accentuates a failure to safeguard someone, resulting in harm or loss.

he passed away

Euphemistic way of saying someone died. Focus on death.

we were no longer in contact with him

Highlights a cessation of communication or relationship.

he departed from us

A formal way to say that someone died.

FAQs

What does "we lost him" mean?

The phrase "we lost him" can have several meanings. It may refer to someone who has died, someone who has become separated from a group, or someone who has been defeated or given up on. The specific meaning depends on the context.

How can I use "we lost him" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "We were hiking in the mountains, and unfortunately, "we lost him" in the dense fog."

What's the difference between "we lost him" and "we misplaced him"?

"We misplaced him" suggests a temporary loss, implying the person is likely to be found again. "We lost him" can indicate a permanent loss, death, or simply an inability to find someone after a search.

What are some alternative ways to say "we lost him" when referring to a death?

You could use phrases like "he passed away" or "he is no longer with us" to soften the impact.