a lost campaign

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lost campaign" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a campaign that has failed or is no longer viable, often in a political or marketing context. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team realized they were running a lost campaign and decided to shift their focus to more promising initiatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He trudges through this unwelcoming terrain with the grim persistence of a soldier making his way home after a lost campaign.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

(I myself have waged a losing campaign to popularize "chirk").

The New York Times

A Blumenthal spokeswoman, Mindy Myers, said Ms. McMahon's ad was "another desperate attack from a losing campaign with nothing to say.

The New York Times

But if ever there were a losing campaign that achieved some major wins, it's Sanders'.

The Guardian

He turned an isolated win in a losing campaign into an occasion to recite an enemies list.

The New Yorker

"If you didn't follow through all you'd have is a losing campaign with a lot of YouTube hits".

The Guardian

The staff of a losing campaign are a lot more ready and able to speak frankly than the staff of the victor.

The Economist

When Everhard finally stops bloviating, London provides a vivid, bleak and bloody account of a losing campaign.

The Guardian - Books

One thing Ms. Cahill would talk about was her decision to join what was regarded as a losing campaign.

The New York Times

It is also good on the physical and mental ghastliness of working full-on for a losing campaign.

The Guardian

But last week, the divisions and backbiting that are usually the sign of a losing campaign began to show.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lost campaign", ensure the context clearly indicates an effort that has irretrievably failed. Avoid using it for campaigns that are merely facing difficulties but still have a chance of success.

Common error

Avoid prematurely labeling a campaign as "a lost campaign" simply because of initial setbacks or challenges. Reserve this phrase for situations where the effort is demonstrably beyond recovery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lost campaign" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It typically describes a specific effort or endeavor that has failed or is destined to fail. Ludwig confirms the proper usage of the expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lost campaign" is a noun phrase used to describe an effort, often political or marketing-related, that has failed or is destined to fail. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriate usage. While its register is generally neutral, context is key. Overusing the phrase prematurely can be misleading, so reserve it for situations where failure is evident. Consider alternatives like "a failed endeavor" or "an unsuccessful attempt" depending on the context and desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unsuccessful attempt

Focuses on the lack of success, applicable to various types of campaigns.

a failed endeavor

Emphasizes the failure aspect, moving away from the specific context of a campaign.

a losing proposition

Highlights that the campaign will result in a loss.

a doomed effort

Highlights the inevitable failure and futility of the undertaking.

a fruitless cause

Focuses on the unproductive nature of the campaign, emphasizing the lack of positive outcomes.

a futile undertaking

Stresses the pointlessness of the endeavor, indicating no chance of success.

a vanquished cause

Emphasizes the defeat or subjugation of the campaign, indicating a clear loss.

a hopeless case

Indicates that the campaign has no chance of succeeding, emphasizing the dim prospects.

a collapsed strategy

Focuses specifically on the failure of the strategic plan behind the campaign.

a dead-end project

Focuses on the lack of future progress or development in the campaign.

FAQs

How can I use "a lost campaign" in a sentence?

You can use "a lost campaign" to describe an endeavor, often political or marketing-related, that has failed or is highly unlikely to succeed. For example: "The candidate knew they were running "a lost campaign", but continued to fight for their beliefs."

What are some alternatives to "a lost campaign"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a failed endeavor", "an unsuccessful attempt", or "a doomed effort", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a lost campaign" in a formal setting?

While "a lost campaign" is generally acceptable, in highly formal settings, you might consider using more neutral alternatives like "an unsuccessful attempt" or "a failed initiative" to maintain a professional tone.

What distinguishes "a lost campaign" from "a difficult campaign"?

"A difficult campaign" implies ongoing challenges that might still be overcome, whereas "a lost campaign" suggests that success is no longer realistically attainable. The former retains hope, while the latter concedes defeat.