a formidable loss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a formidable loss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or impactful loss, whether in a personal, financial, or competitive context. Example: "The team suffered a formidable loss in the championship game, which left the players and fans devastated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That Von Freytag-Loringhasen has been written out of the story is not only a great injustice, it is also a formidable loss to art history.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Frank found himself saying what coaches say after a tough loss to a formidable opponent.

The New York Times - Sports

2. (S) Now absorbing combat losses against a formidable militant enemy, Pakistan's military finally has begun to accept more USG training and assistance in support of counter-insurgency.

The Guardian

However, the processing of stable large-scale graphene and magnetic particles on a micrometer-thick conductive support is a formidable challenge for achieving high reflection loss and impedance matching between the absorber and free space.

Nature

Politically, Greece would be hard-pressed to force debt losses on such a formidable international group, the way it did with the private banks and hedge funds that have just been forced to accept a 75 percent loss on their Greek bond holdings.

The New York Times

The loss of Kilinochchi was "the largest blow" after Mullaitivu, said Brigadier Tennakoon.Despite the loss of Jaffna, the Tigers remain a formidable force.

The Economist

But he has shown a formidable ability to survive the shifts in the Senate, including a loss of seats under his watch in 2008.

The New York Times

Thus, it also faces a formidable challenge which sometimes can lead to a decreased activity or loss of activity of one or both of the covalently conjugated partners.

BMC Biotechnology

Thus, while the BBB is a formidable shield protecting the brain, its failure does not necessarily lead to complete loss of function.

Plosone

Although Ward is fresh off a 12-plus point loss to veteran Sen. John McCain in the 2016 primary, she did mount a formidable challenge to him.

Huffington Post

A formidable but worthwhile challenge will next be to understand the differential diagenetic and catagenic losses and/or transformations that impact hopanoids and other hydrocarbons.

Geobiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a formidable loss" to describe a loss that presents a significant challenge or obstacle moving forward. Ensure the context highlights the difficulty in overcoming the loss.

Common error

Avoid using "a formidable loss" for minor setbacks. The term 'formidable' implies a substantial challenge; reserving it for genuinely significant losses maintains its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a formidable loss" functions as a noun phrase where 'formidable' modifies 'loss'. It indicates a loss that is not only significant but also presents considerable difficulty or challenge. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms this usage, highlighting its effectiveness in conveying the magnitude and impact of the loss.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a formidable loss" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a significant setback or challenge. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys the magnitude and difficulty associated with a loss. While its frequency is uncommon, its impact is considerable, making it suitable for formal and neutral registers, particularly in contexts related to news, science, and business. When writing, remember that using this expression implies that overcoming the loss will be challenging and require significant effort. Alternatives such as "significant setback" or "major disadvantage" can be used, but they may not fully capture the challenging aspect conveyed by "formidable".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant setback

Focuses on the hindrance or delay caused by the loss.

a substantial defeat

Highlights the magnitude of the loss, particularly in competitive contexts.

a major disadvantage

Emphasizes the strategic or tactical implications of the loss.

a devastating blow

Emphasizes the destructive and overwhelming impact of the loss.

a considerable detriment

Stresses the harmful or damaging nature of the loss.

a heavy blow

Emphasizes the emotional or psychological impact of the loss.

a crippling disadvantage

Highlights the severely limiting and weakening effect of the loss.

a severe drawback

Highlights the limiting or restrictive effect of the loss.

a crushing defeat

Emphasizes the completeness and demoralizing nature of the loss.

a critical failure

Indicates a fundamental inability to succeed because of the loss.

FAQs

How can I use "a formidable loss" in a sentence?

You can use "a formidable loss" to describe something that is a major setback or disadvantage. For example, "The closure of the factory represented "a formidable loss" for the local economy."

What are some alternatives to "a formidable loss"?

Alternatives include "significant setback", "major disadvantage", or "substantial defeat", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a formidable loss" in formal writing?

Yes, "a formidable loss" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when describing substantial setbacks or challenges in professional or academic contexts. Its impact is both descriptive and appropriately serious.

What makes a loss 'formidable' versus simply 'significant'?

A 'formidable' loss implies that the loss presents a considerable challenge to overcome, suggesting strength or difficulty that causes fear or respect. A 'significant' loss, on the other hand, simply means the loss is important or noteworthy.