a colossal loss of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a colossal loss of" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to refer to a huge or excessive amount of something being lost. For example: "The fire caused a colossal loss of property."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"There's been a colossal loss of confidence in the company," said Windsor.

The Guardian - Business

He will fear that it would involve such a colossal loss of face that his authority would be irretrievably corroded.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the ongoing battle between the markets and the Chinese central government, the sudden 2percentt devaluation of the yuan represents a colossal loss of face, not to mention a further signal of the economy's underlying weakness.

Huffington Post

This could result in a colossal loss of life and property.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The sale of the seven-year-old site, founded a few months after Facebook, marks a colossal loss for its former venture capital backers, who put in a total of $45m during its life as an independent.

The Guardian - Tech

It is a colossal loss for our economy," wrote Alberto Alesina and Francesco Giavazzi, two leading economists, on the front page of Corriere della Sera this month.

The Guardian

"But on the other hand, this is a colossal loss to Russian soft power.

The Guardian

And the country paid, dearly, including a colossal loss in respect for the rule of law.

The New Yorker

One example is the decade-long attempt to computerise medical records nationally, which has produced a cost overrun of several billion pounds, a colossal loss by the main IT-company involved and no functioning system.

The Economist

"As time continues to pass, the list of names will inevitably grow into a true reflection of the colossal loss of life that the people of South Sudan have once again suffered," D'Awol added.

The Guardian

Does that mean that the colossal loss of human life and a good deal of the huge cost of the war after all may have been wasted?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a colossal loss of" to emphasize the magnitude and impact of something that has been lost, whether it's tangible resources, intangible assets, or abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "a colossal loss of" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase's formal tone may sound overly dramatic or unnatural in everyday settings. Consider more relaxed alternatives like "a big loss of" or "a huge waste of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a colossal loss of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it signifies a substantial deprivation or detriment. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in describing loss of confidence, life, property, or money.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

34%

Science

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a colossal loss of" is a noun phrase used to describe a significant and impactful deprivation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While versatile, it's most appropriate in formal and professional settings, conveying a sense of substantial detriment. Alternatives include "a significant loss of" or "a tremendous loss of", depending on the desired nuance. Be mindful of overusing it in casual contexts to maintain naturalness and avoid sounding overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tremendous deprivation of

Replaces "colossal loss" with "tremendous deprivation", focusing on the act of being deprived rather than the simple loss.

a significant forfeiture of

Substitutes "colossal loss" with "significant forfeiture", emphasizing the surrendering or giving up of something important.

a substantial depletion of

Changes "colossal loss" to "substantial depletion", highlighting the reduction or emptying of resources.

a major sacrifice of

Replaces "colossal loss" with "major sacrifice", indicating something willingly given up for a greater cause.

a catastrophic disappearance of

Swaps "colossal loss" for "catastrophic disappearance", stressing the sudden and disastrous nature of the loss.

a sweeping reduction in

Changes "colossal loss" to "sweeping reduction", underscoring a broad and comprehensive decrease.

a critical erosion of

Substitutes "colossal loss" with "critical erosion", highlighting the gradual wearing away or decline of something vital.

a devastating impairment of

Replaces "colossal loss" with "devastating impairment", emphasizing the damage or weakening effect of the loss.

a radical curtailment of

Changes "colossal loss" to "radical curtailment", stressing a severe and abrupt reduction.

a wholesale elimination of

Substitutes "colossal loss" with "wholesale elimination", indicating a complete removal or eradication.

FAQs

How can I use "a colossal loss of" in a sentence?

You can use "a colossal loss of" to describe a significant deprivation or detriment. For instance, "The company suffered "a colossal loss of" revenue due to the economic downturn", or "The earthquake resulted in "a colossal loss of" life and property".

What are some alternatives to "a colossal loss of"?

Alternatives include "a significant loss of", "a tremendous loss of", or "a major depletion of", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a colossal loss of" and "a significant loss of"?

"A colossal loss of" implies a much greater magnitude and impact than "a significant loss of". While both describe a deprivation, "colossal" suggests an immense, often devastating, scale.

Is "a colossal loss of" appropriate for informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a colossal loss of" is more suitable for formal or professional contexts. In informal writing, consider using alternatives like "a huge loss of" or "a big loss of" to maintain a more casual tone.