I was losing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'I was losing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to express having been in a state of losing something or a situation in which something is being lost. For example: "I was losing hope of ever finding a job, but then I got a call from an amazing company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I was losing myself".

Independent

I was losing faith".

The New Yorker

I was losing him.

The New Yorker

"I was losing jobs.

The New York Times

I was losing perspective.

The New York Times

I was losing.

The New Yorker

I was losing all hope.

The New Yorker

I was losing my mind.

The New York Times

"I was losing hope".

The New York Times

I was losing confidence.

The New York Times

I was losing weight.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was losing", ensure the context clearly indicates what was being lost, whether it's a tangible object, an abstract concept like hope, or a skill.

Common error

Avoid using "I was losing" without specifying what was being lost. Provide context to ensure clarity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was losing" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an action of losing that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was losing" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase in the past continuous tense. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively describes an ongoing process of decline or failure in the past, applicable across various contexts from News & Media to personal narratives. While versatile, it's important to provide context about what was being lost to ensure clarity. Related alternatives include "I began to lose" and "I was starting to lose". Be mindful of vague contexts to use the phrase precisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was starting to lose

Emphasizes the initial stages of decline.

I began to lose

Focuses on the start of the act of losing something.

I was on the verge of losing

Emphasizes the proximity to a loss.

I found myself losing

Highlights the speaker's realization of the loss occurring.

I nearly lost

Indicates a close call, almost experiencing a loss.

I almost lost

Indicates a near miss, nearly experiencing a loss but not succeeding.

I teetered on the brink of losing

Suggests being in a precarious position, close to losing something.

I risked losing

Highlights the potential danger or possibility of losing.

I stood to lose

Implies a situation where something could be lost as a consequence.

I faced the prospect of losing

Focuses on the anticipation or fear of potential loss.

FAQs

How can I use "I was losing" in a sentence?

You can use "I was losing" to describe a past state of decline or failure. For example, "I was losing my patience" or "I was losing ground in the negotiation".

What can I say instead of "I was losing"?

Alternatives include phrases like "I began to lose", "I was starting to lose", or "I found myself losing" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I was losing it"?

Yes, "I was losing it" is a common idiom that means someone was becoming overwhelmed or irrational.

What's the difference between "I lost" and "I was losing"?

"I lost" indicates a completed action in the past, whereas "I was losing" describes an ongoing process of decline in the past.