go bankrupt

USAGE SUMMARY

'go bankrupt' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a company or individual that can no longer pay their debts. For example, "After two years of financial troubles, the small business eventually had to go bankrupt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And they go bankrupt.

Yale University

"You'll go bankrupt".

The New York Times

Firms will go bankrupt.

The Economist

Why did they go bankrupt?

Yale University

Amazon will go bankrupt.

The Guardian - Tech

"Let Detroit go bankrupt".

The Guardian

He'll go bankrupt.

The Guardian

Would Wheaton go bankrupt?

The New York Times

Let A.I.G. go bankrupt.

The New York Times

Companies will go bankrupt.

The New York Times

Should I go bankrupt?

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the formal process of bankruptcy, use "file for bankruptcy" instead of "go bankrupt".

Common error

While "go bankrupt" is correct, avoid saying "be bankrupt" when you mean to describe the process of becoming bankrupt. "Be bankrupt" is acceptable to describe a state of being.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go bankrupt" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating a process or change of state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The verb "go" acts as a linking verb, connecting the subject to the state of being "bankrupt".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "go bankrupt" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the process of becoming financially insolvent, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Primarily used in News & Media and Academia, it indicates that an individual or company is unable to pay their debts. While alternatives like "become insolvent" or "file for bankruptcy" exist, "go bankrupt" remains a versatile and widely understood expression. Remember to avoid confusing it with "be bankrupt" when describing the process rather than the state of being bankrupt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become bankrupt

This is a simple variation, using "become" instead of "go".

become insolvent

This phrase is a more formal and technical term for being unable to pay debts.

file for bankruptcy

Focuses on the legal action taken when declaring bankruptcy.

go bust

An informal and direct way to express financial ruin.

go under

Implies a complete failure and cessation of operations.

become defunct

Describes a business or organization that is no longer in existence due to failure.

cease trading

Indicates the end of business operations, often due to financial problems.

liquidate assets

Describes the process of selling assets to pay off debts, often preceding or during bankruptcy.

fail financially

A more general term indicating a lack of financial success.

be ruined

A broader term indicating destruction or collapse, applicable to financial situations.

FAQs

How to use "go bankrupt" in a sentence?

You can use "go bankrupt" to describe the process of a company or individual becoming financially insolvent. For example, "Many small businesses "go bankrupt" during economic recessions".

What can I say instead of "go bankrupt"?

You can use alternatives like "become insolvent", "file for bankruptcy", or "go bust" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "went bankrupt"?

Yes, "went bankrupt" is the past tense of ""go bankrupt"" and is grammatically correct. For example, "The company "went bankrupt" after years of declining sales".

What's the difference between "go bankrupt" and "declare bankruptcy"?

"Go bankrupt" is a more general term for becoming financially insolvent. "Declare bankruptcy" refers specifically to the legal process of filing for bankruptcy protection.