absolute loss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolute loss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing total loss or complete failure, often in financial or philosophical discussions. Example: "The company faced an absolute loss after the market crash, leading to significant layoffs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"More significant than absolute loss of money is absolute loss of face.

The New York Times

For some people, yes, it's an absolute loss.

The New York Times

He argues: "The important thing is to ensure that this relative loss does not become an absolute loss.

The Guardian - Business

He guesses that sand, booze, and topography play a part, as does, he said, "just an absolute loss of their minds when people come on holiday".

The New Yorker

The Fight for California "I am at an absolute loss," Joe Simitian said, standing at the podium, facing fellow members of a California Assembly subcommittee.

The New York Times - Tech

Your article allowed me to fully understand the unimaginable terror, the soul-crunching grief and the sudden and absolute loss of everything that those in Banda Aceh experienced on that fateful sunny day.

The New York Times

The highest rates of urban growth are in the developing regions of China, India and Africa, but the greatest absolute loss of rural land to cities occurred in North America.

The New York Times

For example, people may know that they are being taken abroad as sex workers, but have no idea of the harsh conditions, and the absolute loss of control over their lives, that they will face.

The Economist

Throughout, there is a tiny guitar riff, buried deep in the sound, as if it were leaking in from some other recording, that counts a cadence of absolute loss: da da da daaaaaaa... and as the song ends the saxophone plays against this, too.

The Guardian

Carbon Tracker argues that the large potential for stranded assets means risk in the energy markets needs redefining in a way that places less emphasis on under-performance and greater emphasis on the absolute loss of value for the fossil fuel sectors posed by unburnable carbon.

The Guardian

In South West Victoria, which produces about a quarter of Australia's milk, net farm incomes fell from over $195,000 per year in 2010-11 to just over $51,000 in 2012/13, with 21% of farms running at an absolute loss (negative cash flow).

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "absolute loss", ensure the context clearly indicates a complete and irreversible loss, distinguishing it from relative or partial losses.

Common error

Avoid using "absolute loss" when a "significant loss" would be more accurate. "Absolute loss" implies a total and irrecoverable loss, while "significant loss" acknowledges a substantial but potentially recoverable loss.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolute loss" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It describes a state of complete deprivation or destruction. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

26%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "absolute loss" is a grammatically sound noun phrase frequently employed across diverse domains, including science, news media, and formal business communications. Ludwig AI affirms that the phrase effectively underscores the completeness and irreversibility of a loss, thus demanding careful contextual application. Although alternatives like "total loss" or "complete loss" offer similar meanings, "absolute loss" specifically highlights the definitive nature of the deprivation, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples. Avoid overuse in place of "significant loss" where the context does not fully support such finality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Total loss

Emphasizes the complete and comprehensive nature of the loss.

Complete loss

Highlights the thoroughness and lack of anything remaining.

Utter loss

Stresses the extreme degree or extent of the loss.

Full loss

Similar to total loss, emphasizing completeness.

Unconditional loss

Focuses on the lack of any conditions or qualifications to the loss.

Irrecoverable loss

Highlights the inability to recover or regain what was lost.

Pure loss

Highlights the lack of any positive or offsetting factors.

Definitive loss

Emphasizes the final and conclusive nature of the loss.

Unmitigated loss

Stresses the absence of anything that lessens the severity of the loss.

Abject loss

Focuses on the wretched or miserable nature of the loss.

FAQs

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

You can use "absolute loss" to describe situations where something is completely and irreversibly lost. For example, "The company suffered an absolute loss of its market share" or "The ecosystem faced an absolute loss of biodiversity".

What phrases are similar to "absolute loss"?

Similar phrases include "total loss", "complete loss", and "utter loss". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "almost absolute loss"?

While understandable, "almost absolute loss" can be seen as contradictory since "absolute" implies completeness. Consider using "near total loss" or "almost complete loss" for better clarity.

What is the difference between "absolute loss" and "relative loss"?

"Absolute loss" refers to a complete disappearance or destruction of something, whereas "relative loss" indicates a loss in comparison to something else. For example, an "absolute loss" of habitat means the habitat no longer exists, while a "relative loss" might mean it has shrunk in size compared to its original state.