can be losing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be losing" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is in the process of losing or experiencing a loss. Example: "In a competitive market, a company can be losing its customer base if it fails to innovate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Spin rooms are where winning can be losing, losing can be winning, down can be up and up can be down.

The Guardian

When the cash advance fee is added, British travellers can be losing 4.5% on every euro withdrawal - and this figure can be much higher on small withdrawals, where a minimum charge of up to £2.50 can be applied.

The Guardian - Travel

They need to grow their top line at all costs, and one of the non-obvious costs can be losing the discipline of focus.

TechCrunch

A drastic weight loss can be losing 10 kg in a month or so.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Nothing can be lost.

The New York Times

Character can be lost.

The New York Times

Young women can be lost, too".

The New Yorker

Reefs can be lost forever.

The Guardian

It can be lost, like a wallet.

The New Yorker

"If George Washington can be lost, then anybody can be lost," he said.

The New Yorker

Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be losing", ensure the context clearly indicates an ongoing process or a potential future outcome that is currently developing. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the communicative impact.

Common error

Avoid using "can be losing" when the loss is already confirmed or certain. Opt for stronger, more definitive language to reflect the certainty of the event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be losing" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a possibility or potential action in progress. It suggests that something is in the process of being lost, but the outcome is not yet certain. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be losing" is a grammatically correct expression used to indicate a potential or ongoing process of loss. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears mostly in News & Media and Wiki contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While not exceedingly common, understanding its proper use and potential alternatives—like "could be losing" or "might be losing"—can enhance the clarity and precision of your writing. Avoid using it when a loss is already certain; instead, focus on conveying the potential or ongoing nature of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be losing

Replaces 'can' with 'could' to suggest a possibility that is slightly less certain.

might be losing

Substitutes 'can' with 'might' to indicate a lower probability of the loss occurring.

may be losing

Uses 'may' instead of 'can' to propose a possibility, similar to 'might' but with subtle variations in implication.

are potentially losing

Adds 'potentially' to emphasize the possibility of loss.

risk losing

Focuses on the risk aspect, highlighting the potential negative consequences.

stand to lose

Indicates a likely future loss based on current circumstances.

are at risk of losing

Emphasizes the vulnerable state of the subject regarding the potential loss.

face the prospect of losing

Highlights the anticipation and potential inevitability of the loss.

are in danger of losing

Suggests a serious threat of imminent loss.

could see a loss of

Rephrases the losing action as 'see a loss' to change the sentence structure.

FAQs

How can I use "can be losing" in a sentence?

You can use "can be losing" to describe an ongoing situation where someone or something is in the process of losing something. For example, "The team "can be losing" momentum if they don't score soon."

What's the difference between "can be losing" and "is losing"?

"Can be losing" suggests a possibility or a trend, while "is losing" indicates a current, definite action. For instance, "The company "can be losing" market share" implies a potential future outcome, whereas "The company is losing market share" indicates it's currently happening.

What can I say instead of "can be losing"?

You can use alternatives like "could be losing", "might be losing", or "may be losing" to express similar ideas with slightly different nuances of possibility.

Is "can be losing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "can be losing" is grammatically correct. It uses the modal verb "can" with the continuous form "be losing" to describe a potential or ongoing process.