In Case of Lost or in Case of Loss?

Which one is the correct expression to use: in case of loss or in case of lost?

In case of lost or in case of loss? I am referring to the usual expression written on IDs and tags. In case of loss, please return to ______________.

Answer: in case of loss

Why? It’s because in the expression, in case of loss, we need a noun. In case of is a preposition and a preposition usually comes before a noun or a pronoun. Between the two expressions (loss and lost) loss is the noun that we need because lost is a verb. It’s the past tense or past participle of the verb lose. It is also an adjective but we do not need an adjective in the expression . Again, what we need is a noun.

What about when it comes to meaning?

Lost as a verb has quite a lot of meanings as listed in Merriam-Webster such as no longer known, no longer possessed, no longer visible, or lacking something while loss is an act of losing something or a failure to win.

Why is there a confusion about its use?

Maybe it’s because both words are associated with:

not having something anymore,

no longer possessing something,

or losing something.

 Are there real life scenarios when the use of these two expressions got interchanged?

Yes, Actually, I got confused which expression to use when I saw the expression, in case of lost in an ID. I got even crazier when a friend of mine said, it’s in case of lose. In our office ID though, it says in case of loss. After doing my research, it’s confirmed. The correct expression to use is in case of loss.