as already lost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as already lost" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a sense of inevitability regarding something that has been lost, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The battle seemed futile, as already lost, we had no choice but to retreat."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The speech came in the wake of reports that signal wariness among some Capitol Hill Republicans to continue fighting battles many constituents see as already lost and in ways repeatedly portrayed in the mainstream press as embittered and stubbornly obstructionist.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Even those who grasp the urgency of the climate crisis may be tempted to see it as an already lost cause, a deadly eradicator of hope.

The New Yorker

For one of Anguilla's most expensive, glamorous hotels, Cap Juluca, the winter season is already lost, as well as next spring.

The New York Times - Travel

ExxonMobil has already lost as much as $1bn from sanctions, and Tillerson has been a frequent visitor to the White House and the Department of the Treasury to lobby against them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Syria is a major customer of Russia's state weapons exporters, who by one estimate have already lost as much as $10 billion in orders during the political turmoil of the Arab Spring and a missile contract with Iran that was shelved as a result of the "reset" with Washington.

The New York Times

In 2011 there were 550 tornado deaths, including 316 people on April 27 in five Southern states, and 161 people in Joplin, Missouri, on May 22. Insurers have already lost as much as $2.5 billion during the 2012 tornado season, mostly from a record March 2 outbreak.

Huffington Post

"It's a win-win situation". The fight over the Hellman Ranch project, a proposed gated community and golf course on a 196-acre site in Orange County, illustrated the tough choices environmental regulators face in a region that has already lost as much as 90% of its salt marshes and other coastal wetlands to development.

Los Angeles Times

Despite her electrifying play in the opening round on Thursday, before failing on Friday to make the cutoff for the finals, she wasn't out to prove that women should make as much money as men do (we already lost that battle), or to slay the dragons of chauvinism, as Ms. King did when she beat Bobby Riggs during the famous Battle of the Sexes in 1973.

The New York Times - Style

As for Juventus, they have already lost as many league matches in this campaign as they did in all of 2014-15.

The Guardian - Sport

That could prove difficult, though, for the Cameroonians as they have already lost at home to Enyimba and must play in Aba, a south-eastern Nigerian city where few visiting football teams escape defeat.

BBC

The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Mets again tonight, 8-3, and with 40 games left, he Mets (54-68) halreadyeady lost as many games as they did last season.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "as already lost" with more direct alternatives like "as good as lost" or "effectively defeated" to improve comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "as already lost" when you can use simpler and clearer language. It can come across as awkward and may not be readily understood by your audience. Opt for alternatives like "as good as lost" or "effectively defeated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as already lost" functions as a qualifier, attempting to describe the state of something. However, Ludwig AI marks it as incorrect, suggesting grammatical awkwardness and lack of clarity. Its infrequent use further underscores its non-standard nature.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as already lost" is grammatically questionable and lacks clarity, according to Ludwig AI. While it appears in some contexts, primarily news and media, its usage is infrequent and may not be readily understood. For clearer and more effective communication, it is advisable to use alternatives such as "as good as lost", "effectively defeated", or other semantically similar phrases. Using clearer language will significantly enhance comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as good as lost

Implies the situation is so dire it's equivalent to being lost already.

for all intents and purposes, lost

Indicates that the outcome is lost in every practical sense.

practically a lost cause

Highlights the near certainty of failure, similar to 'almost a lost cause'.

realistically, a failure

Acknowledges the failure from a pragmatic perspective.

virtually impossible to win

Highlights the negligible probability of success.

effectively defeated

Emphasizes the state of being defeated, focusing on the result.

tantamount to defeat

Equates the situation with actual defeat.

in effect, a defeat

Highlights the practical consequence of defeat.

essentially unrecoverable

Focuses on the lack of possibility for recovery or reversal.

irretrievably gone

Focuses on the irreversible nature of the loss or failure.

FAQs

What does "as already lost" mean?

The phrase "as already lost" is an uncommon and somewhat awkward construction that suggests something is in a state of being lost or is considered a lost cause. For clearer alternatives, consider using phrases like "as good as lost" or "effectively defeated".

How can I use "as already lost" in a sentence?

While grammatically questionable, you might use "as already lost" to imply something is in the process of being or is inevitably going to be lost. However, it's better to use clearer phrases like "practically a lost cause" or "tantamount to defeat".

Is "as already lost" grammatically correct?

The phrase "as already lost" is considered grammatically questionable and is not widely used in formal writing. Consider using clearer and more common alternatives.

What are some alternatives to "as already lost"?

Instead of "as already lost", you can use phrases like "essentially unrecoverable", "virtually impossible to win", or "irretrievably gone" to convey a similar meaning with greater clarity.