a heavy loss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a heavy loss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or impactful loss, often in contexts such as finance, personal relationships, or competitive situations. Example: "The company reported a heavy loss in the last quarter, leading to concerns about its future viability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The bank, one of the euro area's biggest, made handy returns on its investment as stockmarkets rallied.Credit Suisse reported a profit of SFr2 billion ($1.5 billion) in the third quarter after a heavy loss a year ago.

The Economist

But it averted a heavy loss.

The New York Times - Books

But it could have resulted in a heavy loss.

The New York Times - Arts

The sale represents a heavy loss of value.

The Telegraph

Polls predict a heavy loss for her in the second round, however.

The New York Times

President Vladimir Putin called Karimov's death a "heavy loss for the people of Uzbekistan".

The Guardian

The withdrawal of Britain would be a heavy loss for Europe".

The Guardian

That is a heavy loss to the country, which might need its reserves in a pinch.

The Economist

This meant that hedge funds that had bet that VW's share price would fall made a heavy loss.

The Guardian - Business

Atlanta are nothing of the sort after sliding to 2-5 with a heavy loss in Baltimore.

The Guardian - Sport

Fearing a heavy loss of life, Georgian officials said, the region was evacuated at the start of the bombardment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a heavy loss" when you want to emphasize the severity and impact of the loss, whether it's financial, personal, or strategic. Choose it over simpler terms like "loss" when the magnitude is significant and noteworthy.

Common error

Avoid using "a heavy loss" to describe trivial or insignificant losses. Reserve it for scenarios where the impact is genuinely substantial, as overuse can dilute its meaning and weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a heavy loss" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. As Ludwig suggests, it signifies a significant or impactful loss in various contexts. It is commonly used to denote considerable financial deficits or substantial personal tragedies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a heavy loss" is a noun phrase denoting a significant and impactful loss. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts, it serves to emphasize the magnitude and consequences of a loss. When writing, reserve its use for truly substantial setbacks, and consider alternatives such as "a substantial loss" or "a significant deficit" for greater precision or nuance. With a high expert rating and common usage, "a heavy loss" remains a reliable choice for conveying the seriousness of a negative outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial loss

Emphasizes the significant amount or degree of the loss.

a significant deficit

Focuses on the shortfall or negative balance resulting from the loss, particularly in financial contexts.

a grievous loss

Highlights the emotional weight and sorrow associated with the loss, often used in personal or tragic situations.

a considerable setback

Implies a hindrance or obstacle created by the loss, impacting progress or goals.

a major failure

Indicates a significant lack of success directly resulting in a loss.

a severe blow

Emphasizes the sudden and impactful nature of the loss, similar to receiving a strike.

a devastating setback

Amplifies the negative consequences and disruptive impact of the loss, indicating long-term effects.

a serious detriment

Highlights the damaging or harmful aspect of the loss, focusing on the negative impact.

a great misfortune

Conveys the unfortunate and unlucky nature of the loss, expressing sympathy or regret.

a painful experience

Refers to the distress caused by the loss, specifically emphasizing emotional pain.

FAQs

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

You can use "a heavy loss" to describe significant setbacks, such as "The company reported "a heavy loss" in the last quarter" or "The team suffered "a heavy loss" in the championship game".

What are some alternatives to "a heavy loss"?

Some alternatives include "a substantial loss", "a significant deficit", or "a grievous loss", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a heavy loss" instead of "a small loss"?

"A heavy loss" is appropriate when the loss has significant financial, emotional, or strategic implications. Use it when you want to convey the magnitude and severity of the impact, unlike a "small loss" which is relatively minor.

Can "a heavy loss" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

While generally suitable for formal contexts like news reports and business analyses, "a heavy loss" can also be used in informal contexts when discussing significant personal setbacks or defeats, though alternatives might sound more natural depending on register.