To lose or to be lost

Question

1.) we deserved to lose this game. or  2.) we deserved to be lost this game. which one sounds more native or formal style?  (y) thanks

Casi · Accepted Answer

Active: We deserve to lose this game.
Passive: We deserve to be kicked out of the league (by the committee) for losing the game.

Tommyensr · Answer

we deserve to lose(v.)

or

we deserve to be lost(adj.)

are sentences same as meaning? and can i write both?

Casi · Answer

Well, first of all, 'to lose' is a verb in form, but it's a noun in function. It's the object of the verb 'deserve'. Second of all, both 1. and 2. are fine, but the second one needs context:

1. We deserve to lose (the game).

2. We deserve to be lost (in the woods).

Situation: Pat and Max are hiking
Pat: You lost the map?
Max: Yes. But you lost the compass.
Pat. Agh, we're terrible hikers. We deserve to be lost (in the woods).

Sentence 3., though, doesn't work:

3. *We deserved to be lost the game.

The problem with 'to be lost the game' has to do with the meaning of the verb 'lost'. You lose someone or something; you get lost somewhere, and you deserve to be lost somewhere, but you can't deserve to be lost to someone.

To lose or to be lost

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