would be lost

USAGE SUMMARY

"would be lost" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
For example, you could say "Without her faithful guidance, we would be lost" to express the idea that you would not know what to do without her help.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

What would be lost?

The New Yorker

All would be lost.

The New York Times

"The franchise would be lost.

The Economist

The nuances would be lost.

The New York Times - Food

Their immediacy would be lost.

The New Yorker

We would be lost.

The New York Times - Magazine

Lives would be lost".

The New York Times

She would be lost.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The council estimated 220 jobs would be lost.

BBC

I would be lost without it.

The Guardian

Otherwise it would be lost forever.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "would be lost" to express a sense of helplessness or dependence, ensure the context clearly identifies what is essential for guidance or support.

Common error

Avoid using "would be lost" in scenarios where the consequence is merely inconvenience or minor setback; reserve it for situations involving significant deprivation or irreparable damage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be lost" primarily functions as part of a conditional clause or statement expressing a hypothetical outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound. Examples show it describing potential consequences of lacking something essential.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would be lost" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe potential negative outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatile usage spans across various contexts from News & Media to scientific discussions. Its effectiveness lies in conveying the significance of something at risk of being lost or the consequence of lacking essential support. The phrase appears in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, indicating its widespread acceptance and reliability. When using this phrase, consider the scope of the potential loss to ensure the tone and implications align with the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would disappear

Focuses specifically on the act of vanishing or ceasing to exist.

would vanish

Emphasizes a sudden and complete disappearance.

would be ruined

Shifts the focus to the potential for destruction or failure.

would be squandered

Highlights the idea of wasting or misusing something valuable.

would be forfeited

Indicates the loss of something due to a rule or consequence.

would fail

Offers a general term for not succeeding or achieving a desired outcome.

would be in vain

Emphasizes the lack of positive outcome or purpose.

would be adrift

Implies a state of being without direction or guidance.

would get confused

Focuses on a state of mental uncertainty or disorientation.

would be disoriented

Highlights a loss of bearings or sense of direction.

FAQs

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

You can use "would be lost" to describe a situation where something essential is missing, leading to confusion, failure, or ruin. For example, "Without her guidance, we "would be lost"."

What can I say instead of "would be lost"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "would disappear", "would be ruined", or "would be adrift".

Is it correct to say "will be lost" instead of "would be lost"?

Both "will be lost" and "would be lost" are grammatically correct, but they convey different meanings. "Will be lost" indicates a future certainty, while "would be lost" expresses a conditional or hypothetical situation.

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

"Would be lost" typically implies a state of being without something essential, while "would get lost" refers to the act of becoming physically or mentally disoriented. For instance, "The nuances "would be lost"" versus "I "would get lost" in the city".