experienced a loss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "experienced a loss" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where someone has suffered a setback, such as the death of a loved one or a financial downturn. Example: "After the sudden passing of her grandmother, she experienced a loss that was difficult to bear." Alternative expressions include "suffered a loss" and "faced a loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He too has experienced a loss.

The New York Times - Books

Anyone who has experienced a loss must have one of those.

The New Yorker

They also experienced a loss of self-confidence, and a sense of boredom.

The New York Times

"The Unwinding" offers vivid snapshots of people who have experienced a loss of faith.

The New York Times - Books

Some people experienced a loss in this case because of a bad decision.

The New York Times

By then, four of the five zones will have experienced a loss in primary production.

The Economist

She experienced a loss of innocence when Mr. Ravenscroft took over the parish and her family moved to London.

The New Yorker

Ms. Rhynes, who stood 5-foot-6, experienced a loss in weight to 95 pounds from 140 pounds.

The New York Times - Health

"People just look at you and you look at them," he said, "and you know they, too, have experienced a loss".

The New York Times

If you were a young gay man in the mid-80s, you would have experienced a loss comparable to someone who survived the First World War.

The Guardian

The unspoken presumption seems to be that we have experienced a loss that stretches beyond the thousands of lives that fell victim to the terrorists.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotional or personal hardships, use "experienced a loss" to convey empathy and understanding, such as in the context of grief or personal setbacks. This phrasing acknowledges the emotional impact of the event.

Common error

While "experienced a loss" is grammatically correct, overuse can make writing sound passive. Vary your sentence structure by using more active verbs to describe the cause or impact of the loss, such as "The company's bankruptcy devastated the community" instead of "The community experienced a loss due to the company's bankruptcy."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "experienced a loss" functions as a verb phrase with a noun phrase as its object. Grammatically, it indicates that the subject of the sentence underwent or was subjected to some form of deprivation or bereavement. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples of its use in context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "experienced a loss" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe various setbacks and deprivations. Grammatically sound and widely understood, it is employed across diverse contexts, from personal grief to financial downturns. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous real-world examples. The phrase's neutral register allows for use in both formal and informal settings, making it a valuable tool for conveying empathy or reporting on negative events. Alternatives like "suffered a setback" or "endured a bereavement" can provide nuance, but the key is to ensure the phrasing aligns with the specific context and avoids passive constructions for a more impactful message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endured a bereavement

Specifically relates to the loss of a loved one through death.

suffered a setback

Implies a hindrance or reverse in progress; often used in business or personal development contexts.

gone through a hardship

Implies a difficult or painful experience.

underwent a decline

Suggests a gradual decrease or deterioration, suitable for describing economic or health-related losses.

sustained damage

Indicates harm or injury, often in a physical or structural sense.

lost ground

Signifies a reduction in advantage or position, often in competitive situations.

faced adversity

Highlights the confrontation with challenging or unfavorable conditions.

encountered misfortune

Emphasizes bad luck or an unfortunate event.

sacrificed something

Highlights the act of giving up something valuable.

relinquished control

Indicates the act of voluntarily giving up power or authority.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "experienced a loss"?

To say someone "experienced a loss" means they have undergone a deprivation or setback, often implying emotional suffering due to the death of a loved one, a significant failure, or the loss of something valued.

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

You can use "experienced a loss" to describe someone's personal hardship, such as "After the fire, the family "experienced a loss" of all their possessions."

What are some alternatives to "experienced a loss"?

Alternatives include "suffered a setback", "endured a bereavement" (specifically for death), or "underwent a decline" (if referring to a gradual decrease).

Is it appropriate to use "experienced a loss" in formal writing?

Yes, "experienced a loss" is appropriate for formal writing. However, consider the specific context. In some cases, a more precise term might be preferable, such as "incurred a financial loss" or "suffered a data breach" depending on the specific type of loss.