English for Beginners: Lost and Found

Current Situation

It’s common to lose personal items when you are out and about. Many public places like coffee shops, restaurants, libraries, and stores have a “lost and found” area or box where people can leave items they find. If you lose something, it’s a good idea to go back and ask if anyone has seen or found it. If you find something, it’s kind to turn it in to the staff so the owner can get it back.

Key Phrases

• Oh no!: Used to express worry or disappointment.
  Example: Oh no! I forgot my keys!
• I think I left it (somewhere).: Used to guess where you might have forgotten an item.
  Example: I think I left my phone on the table.
• Did anyone find a lost item?: A common question to ask when you are looking for something you lost.
  Example: Excuse me, did anyone find a lost item? I lost my wallet.
• Lost and found.: A place or a system where lost items are kept and can be claimed.
  Example: Please check the lost and found for your umbrella.
• Thank goodness!: Used to express relief.
  Example: Thank goodness! My train is not late.

Grammar Points

1. Asking “Wh-” Questions (Where, What)

These questions help you get specific information.

• Where: Used to ask about a place.
  Example: Where did you see it last? (Asking about the location of the sock.)
  Example: Where is the park?
• What: Used to ask about a thing or action.
  Example: What should I say? (Asking about the words to use.)
  Example: What is your name?

2. Simple Past Tense for Lost Items

When you talk about losing something, you often use verbs in the simple past tense because the action of losing happened in the past.

• Lose (present) → Lost (past)
  Example: I lost my keys yesterday. (Not “I lose my keys yesterday.”)
• Leave (present) → Left (past)
  Example: I left my bag at home this morning. (Not “I leave my bag at home.”)
• Find (present) → Found (past)
  Example: Someone found my purple sock! (Not “Someone find my purple sock!”)

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks (Simple Past Tense)

Complete the sentences with the correct past tense form of the verb in parentheses.

1. Alice ______ her lucky sock. (lose)
2. She ______ it at the coffee shop. (leave)
3. A barista ______ the sock in the lost and found. (find)
4. Bob ______ Alice to the coffee shop. (go)
5. They ______ happy when they found the sock. (be)

Exercise 2: Match the Question to the Answer

Draw a line or write the letter of the correct answer next to each question.

1. Where did Alice lose her sock?
2. What did Alice lose?
3. Who found the sock?
4. What does “lost and found” mean?

• a) A purple sock with a tiny avocado.
• b) At the coffee shop, “The Daily Grind.”
• c) It’s a place where lost items are kept.
• d) A barista found it.

Exercise 3: Complete the Dialogue

Choose the best phrase to complete each sentence.

Friend 1: Oh no! I can’t find my keys!

Friend 2: Really? _____ (1. Where did you see them last? / 2. What is your name?)

Friend 1: I think I _____ (3. left / 4. leave) them at the park.

Friend 2: Let’s go check the park’s _____ (5. coffee shop / 6. lost and found).

Friend 1: Good idea! I hope someone _____ (7. find / 8. found) them.