which were lost

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Denver had six fumbles, two of which were lost, and five drops.

The New York Times - Sports

Hedges surveyed at baseline, which were lost at resurvey, were more species rich than new hedges gained.

Journal of Environmental Management

Most wood-pastures, which were lost by the 1950s, were turned into open habitats, such as arable lands, and the ones lost from 1950 were turned into forest.

Applied Geography

A total of 70 subjects, 12 of which were lost at follow-up, were randomly assigned to either a conventional gym treatment (N = 30) or HT (N = 28).

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics

A 45-year-old female patient with need of fixed replacement of her missing teeth which were lost long time before.

Journal of Prosthodontic Research

The Kremlin has recently promoted the return to Moscow of valuable artefacts from Russia's history, many of which were lost to foreign collectors during the the last century.

The Guardian

The Greeks of the historic age attributed to Daedalus buildings and statues the origins of which were lost in the past.

Britannica

Over the last six years, the school has been restoring its programs in the arts, which were lost due to budget cuts, said the principal, Robert Wolfe.

The New York Times

This article was amended on 8 September 2017 to add references to James Hawes book which were lost in initial editing.

The Guardian

Coughlin has one reason for the switch: Bradshaw has fumbled too much, leading the league's running backs with six fumbles, five of which were lost.

The New York Times - Sports

In the 1930s under Alexandre Dumaine it became one of the best-known restaurants in France, gaining three Michelin stars, all of which were lost when he retired.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which were lost", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being referred to. Maintain a consistent tense and voice throughout the sentence for clarity.

Common error

Ensure that the antecedent of "which" is unmistakably clear to prevent misinterpretations. If the relationship isn't immediately obvious, consider rephrasing for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which were lost" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information about a noun phrase. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which were lost" is a grammatically correct and frequently used relative clause, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to provide additional, non-essential information about something that has disappeared or been misplaced. Its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to science and encyclopedias. To ensure clarity, make certain that the antecedent of "which" is unmistakable. While "which" is considered more formal than "that", both are acceptable in modern usage. Remember to choose "which" for non-restrictive clauses and "that" for restrictive ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which went missing

Highlights the state of being absent or unaccounted for.

that disappeared

Focuses on the act of vanishing without a trace.

that had vanished

Emphasizes the disappearance or fading away of something.

that were misplaced

Suggests a temporary loss due to incorrect placement.

that had slipped away

Suggests a gradual or subtle disappearance.

that were forfeited

Indicates a loss due to a rule, penalty, or consequence.

that were forfeited

Implies a surrender or giving up of something, often unwillingly.

that were irretrievable

Indicates that recovery is impossible.

that were irrecoverable

Similar to "irretrievable", emphasizing the inability to get something back.

that were unrecoverable

Focuses on the impossibility of recovering what was lost.

FAQs

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

Use "which were lost" to describe items or entities that are no longer available or have disappeared. For instance, "The documents, "which were lost" during the move, need to be replaced."

What are some alternatives to "which were lost"?

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

What is the difference between "which were lost" and "that were lost"?

"Which were lost" introduces a non-restrictive clause, adding extra information but not essential to the sentence's core meaning. "That were lost" introduces a restrictive clause, essential for identifying the specific items being discussed. Whether you use "which" or "that" depends on if the clause is essential for defining what you're talking about or just providing additional information.

Is it more formal to use "which were lost" or "that were lost"?

While both are grammatically correct, "which" is often considered more formal. However, in modern usage, "that" is increasingly common, even in formal contexts. The choice often depends on stylistic preference and the specific context.